by Jordan Chapin

SACRAMENTO- The Kings won the second game of a five-game homestand on Sunday night at The Golden 1 Center with a 102-99 victory over the New York Knicks. Sacramento put on quite a show in a game that came down to the final shot. After giving up a big lead with seconds to go, Sacramento’s Skal Labissiere hit the game-winning 3-pointer to seal the game for the Kings.

The Kings were really rolling in this game early. They were led by a stellar night from Bogdan Bogdanovic who ended with 22 points and 7 assists. The Kings led by as many as 19 points in the middle of the fourth quarter. As soon as the Kings started to get comfortable, those pesky Knicks came storming back. In the final nine minutes, the Knicks had completely eliminated the Kings lead and tied the game with just over a minute remaining in the contest.

With just under 30 seconds to go in a tie ballgame, Bogdanovic showed why he’s going to be clutch for years to come. He hit a step back jumper to put the Kings on top 99-97. The Knicks were able to get to the free throw line and make both of their shots to tie the game at 99 all. With 5.3 seconds to go, the Kings in-bounded the ball to Labissiere who faked the hand-off to Bogdanovic, rose-up over Kyle O’Quinn and drained the 3-ball that sealed the game for the Kings.

As the Kings prepare for game four of the homestand, it doesn’t get any easier as they have to face the playoff bound New Orleans Pelicans led by All-Star Anthony Davis on Wednesday night.

Something that should be noted, the young players of Sacramento have shown this season that they can have ice in there veins when it comes down to the big shot. Bogdanovic, Fox, and now Labissiere have all hit game-winning shots this season.

Sacramento Kings

Player of the Game: Bogdan Bogdanovic

Although Skal hit the biggest shot of the night, they would not have been in that position without the play of Bogdanovic. Bogy shot 7-for-11 from the field and finished with 22 points and 7 assists in just 27 minutes of playing time.

Key Stats

• Six players finished in double figure scoring, including all five starters
• Labissiere filled the stat sheet with 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists
• The Kings shot 45% from the field and 43% from 3-point land
• SAC shot a perfect 11-for-11 from the free-throw line

New York Knicks

Player of the Game: Enes Kanter

Kanter played only 22 minutes, but he made the most of them. Doing work down low, Kanter finished with 14 points and 16 rebounds racking up his 31st double-double of the season. When Enes was in the game, he dominated the paint, fortunately for Kings fans, he didn’t see the floor as much as usual.

Key Stats:

• Emmanuel Mudiay was the only starter that didn’t score, its safe to say, Kings fans are happy to have Willie Cauley-Stein instead. The Kings could have drafted Mudiay but chose to go with WCS.
• NYK went on a 24-5 run in the final nine minutes to tie the game
• The Kincks the game just once, 14-13
• Tim Hardaway Jr. was the Knicks leading scorer in the game with 24 points
• New York shot 45% from the field, but only 28% from 3-point land

Up Next

SAC

The Kings – who are 2-for-3 on this five-game homestand host the Pelicans on Wednesday night.

NYK

The Knicks stay on the West Coast and have to face the very tough Portland Trail Blazers in the Rose City on Tuesday night.