In a thrilling game that showcased remarkable talent and resilience, DeMar DeRozan tallied 27 points, propelling him into the impressive 22nd spot on the NBA’s all-time scoring leaderboard. This accomplishment came during the Sacramento Kings’ exciting 112-101 victory over the New York Knicks on Wednesday night.
With this win, the Kings improved their record to 11-30, marking their third consecutive triumph and simultaneously spoiling the much-anticipated return of Knicks head coach Mike Brown. This was particularly significant as it was Brown's first visit back to Sacramento since his unexpected dismissal early in the 2024-25 season.
For the Knicks, Mikal Bridges led the scoring with 19 points. However, they faced a significant setback when Jalen Brunson sustained a right ankle injury shortly after scoring four points in just five minutes of play, forcing him to leave the game.
DeRozan, who is enjoying his 17th season in the league and has been selected as an All-Star six times, demonstrated his skill by shooting 7 for 16 from the field, hitting one three-pointer, and converting an impressive 12 of 13 free throw attempts. This performance brought his career total to 26,077 points, allowing him to surpass the legendary Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett, who finished his career with 26,071 points over 21 seasons.
Alongside DeRozan’s outstanding performance, OG Anunoby contributed 15 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns added 13 points for New York. The Knicks struggled significantly with their shooting, finishing the night at only 39% overall and managing to hit just 8 out of 41 attempts from beyond the arc. This marked their first loss in Sacramento since March 9, 2023.
Mike Brown, who previously coached the Kings for nearly two and a half years and played a crucial role in ending the franchise's long playoff drought in 2023, received a warm reception from the Golden 1 Center crowd prior to the game, which underscored the respect he garnered during his tenure. In a touching moment, Brown was seen greeting Kings owner Vivek Ranadive courtside; it was a brief but heartfelt embrace following their tumultuous parting in December 2024.
On the Kings' side, Zach LaVine emerged as a key player with 25 points, contributing to the team’s successful streak against formidable opponents like the Rockets, Lakers, and now the Knicks. Additionally, former Knicks player Precious Achiuwa delivered a solid performance with 20 points and 14 rebounds, while Russell Westbrook added depth with 19 points and 11 assists.
Both DeRozan and Achiuwa made impactful contributions in the first quarter, each scoring 10 points, which helped the Kings establish early leads of 18-8 and 32-17.
Looking ahead, the Knicks will travel to face the Golden State Warriors on Thursday, while the Kings are set to host the Washington Wizards on Friday. This matchup promises to be another exciting chapter in the ongoing NBA season.
