New York Knicks vs. Sacramento Kings: Live Score, Highlights and Reaction
It's a feeling the New York Knicks have coped with far too often this season, but the bitterness of Saturday's defeat will surely linger longer than any of the team's previous 26 losses.
On the road against the Sacramento Kings, New York fought to come back from a lead that was as much as 16 to tie it before the fourth quarter buzzer. They took their first lead in the overtime period, but the depleted Knicks, with only nine healthy bodies on the bench, weren't able to pull out a thrilling—perhaps season changing—victory on the road. They fell 135-129, as their record dropped to an embarrassing 5-27.
In his first game after shaking a stomach virus, DeMarcus Cousins played phenomenally. He scored 39 and grabbed 11 rebounds, putting on a sick offensive display even if it came with a few emotional outbursts along the way.
Rudy Gay and Carmelo Anthony partook in a lengthy one-on-one battle through most of the night, Anthony finishing with 36 and Gay with 29. For Anthony, the 46 minutes logged tonight could come back to haunt him, as he's already gutting through knee and back problems with the team playing again tomorrow night.
Darren Collison also put up incredible numbers for the Kings, dropping 27 to go along with 10 assists.
New York's role players—namely Cole Aldrich and Shane Larkin, who enjoyed career nights in many respects—were a huge factor in their comeback. Aldrich scored a career-high 18 points on eight-of-nine shooter, while Larkin came away with five steals, scoring 14 points, grabbing four boards and dishing four assists.
Without Amar'e Stoudemire, Quincy Acy, Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith, the Knicks were a few bounces away from snapping their six-game losing skid. Now, losers in 16 of their last 17, they'll attempt to snap the streak Sunday in Portland against the Trail Blazers.
The Kings take on the Brooklyn Nets Sunday on short rest in New York, as they attempt to claw back into the Western Conference playoff race.
