The New York Knicks made an impressive comeback on Thursday night, erasing a 21-point deficit to beat the Sacramento Kings 120-109. Jalen Brunson led the charge with 35 points and 11 assists, while Josh Hart contributed a season-high 31 points, despite playing with a sprained right wrist. The victory snapped a three-game losing streak for the Knicks, who showed resilience in the absence of Julius Randle, sidelined due to right shoulder surgery.

Brunson commented on the team’s slow start, acknowledging the impact of Randle’s absence on morale. However, the Knicks managed to rally and tie the Orlando Magic for the fourth-best record in the Eastern Conference at 45-31. The Magic currently hold the head-to-head tiebreaker, potentially securing home-court advantage in a first-round series if both teams finish with the same record.

On the opposing side, De’Aaron Fox led the Kings with 29 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists, but it wasn’t enough to secure a victory. The Kings missed an opportunity to join New Orleans and Phoenix for sixth place in the Western Conference, having previously won two consecutive games. Keegan Murray also contributed 18 points to the Kings’ effort.

The Knicks’ remarkable comeback and the standout performances of Brunson and Hart have reignited hopes for the team as they continue to navigate the challenges of the NBA season.