Sacramento Kings guard Matthew Dellavedova (8) drives to the basket against New York Knicks guard Immanuel Quickley (5) during the first half at Madison Square Garden in New York on Sun Dec 11, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Jessica Kwong

NEW YORK, NY. — The Sacramento Kings have shown promise in the first third of the season – but took a step back at Madison Square Garden on Sunday night, falling 112-99 to the New York Knicks.

Sacramento had their worst start in two dozen games to a sold-out crowd in New York City. They had an opportunity to turn the game around when Knicks star Julius Randle was ejected in the third quarter, but failed to rise to the occasion.

“Julius kind of had his way with us. Big strong player and we didn’t execute anything, we talking about executing going into the game, so he got us on our heels,” said Kings head coach Mike Brown.

“You’ve got to give their whole team… the coaching staff to their players on down credit because they kicked my behind and all the other coaches and players in our locker room on the behind today.”

The Kings were ahead 9-8 but then allowed the Knicks to go on a 28-10 run. Sacramento trailed 36-22 at the end of the first quarter. The Knicks lead by as many as 19 points and ended the half ahead 66-50.

Domantas Sabonis and Harrison Barnes pulled their weight, but needed help from the rest of the team. Sacramento was 6 of 21 from the three-point line. Meanwhile, Randle had 27 points for the Knicks.

Sacramento made a decent push at the start of the second half and got within 11 points when Keegan Murray scored with 9:21 left in the third quarter. Randle was ejected with 3:35 left in the third after contesting a non-call and getting two technicals. That gave the Kings a chance to catch up and turn the game around, which they did not manage to do. Murray made a basket with 9:21 left in the third but the Knicks responded with the next six points.

Isiah Hartenstein made.a tip-in that boosted the Knicks to a game-high 21-point lead with less than two minutes left in the third. The Knicks lead 95-80 at the end of the third.

A free throw by Sabonis brought the Kings within 11 points with 1:41 left in the game. The Knicks won their fourth consecutive game for the first time since late March 2022.

Sabonis posted 17 double-doubles in 24 appearances this season. He tied Nikola Jakic for the lead in the NBA. The Kings were without De’Aaron Fox and Alex Len, who were out with injuries.

The Kings (14-11) continue their road trip to on Tuesday against the Philadelphia 76ers. Tip-off is at 4 p.m.