Availability, not schemes, sets the stage in Sacramento. The New York Knicks arrive close to full strength, while the Kings again face a night without key starters. Tip-off is 10:00 p.m. ET (7:00 p.m. PT) at Golden 1 Center, and the team sheets are already shaping the story.

The Knicks enter as an Eastern Conference contender at around 28–15, allowing just 106.8 points per game and keeping recent opponents under 107. The Kings, 9–30, are coming off back-to-back wins for only the second time this season. They’ve done it the hard way, missing stars and grinding out results against the Rockets and Lakers.

As one line keeps echoing around this matchup: “The game is shaped less by tactics and more by who is available. New York comes in mostly healthy. Sacramento does not.”

Who’s in, who’s out: Knicks vs. Kings injury report

Sacramento remains without its All-Star big man, Domantas Sabonis, due to a left knee partial meniscus tear. Keegan Murray, a young wing who helps stretch the floor, is sidelined with a left ankle sprain. Dennis Schroder is out on a league suspension. Daeqwon Plowden (Two-Way) is also out.

New York’s list is lighter. Landry Shamet is out with a right shoulder sprain. The headline on the Knicks side is good news: Josh Hart returns after missing eight games, giving Tom Thibodeau a trusted rebounder, connector, and hustle engine. Center Ariel Hukporti is questionable with a right quad strain, while Trey Jemison III (Two-Way) is out.

“Two wins or not, life without Sabonis is a different sport for Sacramento.”

How the absences tilt the game plan

Sabonis is Sacramento’s hub. He screens, passes, and controls the glass. Without him and Murray, the Kings’ frontcourt loses size and playmaking. That shifts the load to veteran scorers DeMar DeRozan and Russell Westbrook, with Malik Monk expected to be a key spark. The staff has also leaned on 7-footer Maxime Raynaud, who is averaging 13.2 points and 8.4 rebounds, to shoulder more interior minutes.

New York’s rotation looks familiar and balanced again with Hart back beside Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, and OG Anunoby, plus steady guard Miles “Deuce” McBride. The Knicks went 3–5 without Hart; his return restores their glue in transition defense, rebounding, and the small winning plays that often swing close games.

Numbers that matter: defense, free throws, efficiency

On paper, the Knicks hold most edges. They average 112.5 points per game while allowing just 106.8. Their identity is defense first. Sacramento allows 115.4 points per game and often relies on streaks of shot-making to cover gaps.

One swing stat: free throws. Towns averages 6.8 free throw attempts per night. The Kings concede 25.4 free throw attempts per game, ranking 24th in that area. That is a red flag against a New York team that loves to put pressure on the paint and crash the offensive glass.

“Is this the night Brunson turns free throws into daggers against a foul-prone front line?”

Stars to watch: Brunson leads, Kings’ trio carries the load

Jalen Brunson’s steady control remains New York’s compass. He’s averaging 27.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 6.1 assists. Around him, Towns (17.6 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists) provides scoring touch and size. Mikal Bridges (15.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists) and OG Anunoby (13.1 points, 4.7 rebounds) supply two-way balance. Hart’s return (7.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists) adds the connective tissue the Knicks missed.

For Sacramento, DeRozan (19.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists) is the mid-range master and late-game option. Westbrook (15.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 7 assists) pushes pace and puts pressure on the rim. Monk can swing a quarter in minutes with streak scoring. Raynaud’s activity is crucial on the boards, especially against Towns and the physical Knicks front line.

What the Kings have found during the streak

Despite their injuries, the Kings have found ways to win. They beat the Rockets by 13 and the Lakers by 12 with a mix of toughness and bench energy. The ball moved, and they got enough stops late. It’s a reminder: even without Sabonis and Murray, Sacramento can still punch above its weight for stretches.

But sustaining it is the challenge. “Playing without Sabonis and Murray seems devastating for this team, but they have found ways around their absence recently.” That’s true, yet the margin for error is thin, especially against a Knicks team that keeps opponents in the mud and wins on the glass.

“Hart back, OG locking wings, Brunson in control — the little things decide this one.”

Matchups and pressure points

• Point of attack: Brunson vs. the Kings’ guards. If Sacramento can’t flatten screens or keep him off his spots, New York will live at the line and get clean kick-outs.
• Frontcourt battle: Towns and the Knicks’ bigs vs. Raynaud and the short-handed Kings. Second-chance points loom large.
• Wings and switches: Anunoby and Bridges on DeRozan/Monk. Can the Knicks’ length bother DeRozan’s rhythm and deny Monk his heat-checks?
• Bench minutes: With Hart back, New York’s staggered lineups improve. Sacramento needs a strong Monk burst and efficient Westbrook minutes to hold serve.

Why New York’s floor is higher tonight

The Knicks’ stability shows in their numbers and structure. They win with stops, rebounding, and star shot creation. They don’t need hot shooting to survive. With Hart returning and Brunson in MVP-level form, their baseline is sturdy.

Sacramento’s path is narrower without Sabonis and Murray. They need DeRozan to control late possessions, Westbrook to tilt the rim, and Monk to hit streaks. They also must keep Towns off the line — not easy given that team foul rate. Any foul trouble for the Kings’ bigs could snowball fast.

Big-picture stakes

For the Knicks, this is a business-trip game. Bank the win, keep the defense sharp, and continue building chemistry now that the rotation is close to whole again. A focused 48 minutes keeps them among the East’s top tier.

For the Kings, this is about resilience and discovery. Two straight wins, a chance for a third, and more reps for role players pressed into key minutes. Even in defeat, valuable minutes for Raynaud and the guard trio can pay off later.

Bottom line

Everything points to New York’s depth and defense carrying the night, but Sacramento’s recent surge warns against complacency. If the Kings keep turnovers low, pile up paint touches with Westbrook and DeRozan, and spark Monk at the right moments, they’ll make it a game. Still, with Hart back and Brunson steering, the edge tilts blue and orange.

Sometimes the matchup is simple: who’s healthy, who defends, and who gets to the line. Tonight, that math favors the Knicks.