The New York Knicks continued their winning streak on Saturday night, defeating the Sacramento Kings with a final score of 98-91. Jalen Brunson emerged as the star of the game, scoring an impressive 42 points, marking his second consecutive game with over 40 points.

The Knicks entered the matchup against the Kings following a victory against the Portland Trail Blazers earlier in the week. With the Kings boasting a high-scoring offense, led by Domantas Sabonis, the Knicks knew they would face a tough challenge.

The game started with both teams battling fiercely, resulting in a closely contested first quarter. The Knicks managed to stifle the Kings' high-scoring offense and led 53-48 at halftime after a strong performance by Brunson. In the third quarter, despite Sacramento's efforts to stay in the game, Brunson continued to dominate, scoring 12 points, while Isaiah Hartenstein effectively shut down Sabonis.

Sabonis, who finished the game with 21 points and 14 rebounds, struggled in the fourth quarter due to Hartenstein's outstanding defense. The Kings' offense, which typically scores an average of 118.4 points per game, was limited to a season-low 91 points by the Knicks' strong defensive efforts.

Aside from Brunson's impressive performance, Hartenstein secured 14 rebounds, while Josh Hart and OG Anunoby also made significant contributions on the defensive end. Alec Burks and Bojan Bogdanovic provided valuable minutes in the fourth quarter, contributing to the Knicks' hard-fought victory.

There were concerns about the availability of OG Anunoby, who had previously experienced discomfort in his surgically repaired elbow. However, Anunoby suited up for the game and made an impact from the start, opening the scoring with a powerful baseline slam.

Both teams struggled to find their rhythm in the early stages of the game, committing turnovers and experiencing difficulties on offense. The Knicks managed to take an 11-9 lead midway through the first quarter. The score remained evenly matched, with Sabonis and Brunson engaging in a scoring battle.

The second quarter saw several lead changes, with the Knicks reclaiming the lead thanks to a 9-3 run and a three-pointer from Alec Burks. Despite the Kings' consistent responses, the Knicks maintained control and entered halftime with a 53-48 lead.

Brunson continued to impress in the second half, starting with a steal and two quick baskets. His exceptional performance was complemented by Hartenstein's defensive prowess against Sabonis, limiting him to zero points and one rebound in the third quarter.

Sacramento momentarily took the lead in the fourth quarter, but the Knicks quickly responded with a 9-0 run, fueled by contributions from Bogdanovic and Burks. Hartenstein's emphatic And-1 play with three minutes remaining provided a crucial boost, ultimately helping secure the Knicks' victory.

With under a minute left, Hartenstein and Anunoby pressured Sabonis into a double-dribble, allowing Brunson to drive for his 40th point of the game. The Knicks sealed the win, ending Sacramento's hope of a comeback, and improving their record to 40-27 on the season.

Jalen Brunson's outstanding performance against the Kings has solidified his place in Knicks history, as he joins Bernard King, Patrick Ewing, and Carmelo Anthony as the only players to score back-to-back 40+ point games for the team.

The New York Knicks will continue their Western Conference tour, looking to extend their winning streak as they face their next opponents.