- The New York Knicks extended their winning streak to nine games with a victory over the Utah Jazz, despite missing key players Jalen Brunson and Miles McBride
- Josh Hart recorded a triple-double, and Karl-Anthony Towns scored at least 30 points and 10 rebounds for the third consecutive game, leading the Knicks to victory
- The Sacramento Kings secured a comeback win against the Philadelphia 76ers, overcoming a 14-point deficit and holding the 76ers scoreless for the final 3:30
- De’Aaron Fox led the Kings with 35 points, while Domantas Sabonis had a standout performance with 17 points, 21 rebounds, and seven assists
- The Kings improved to a 15-19 record, while the 76ers dropped to 13-18, with both teams dealing with injuries to key players
Key Takeaways:
The first day of 2025 saw several exciting NBA matchups, with the New York Knicks and Sacramento Kings emerging victorious in two of them. The Knicks extended their winning streak to nine games with a win over the Utah Jazz, despite missing star point guard Jalen Brunson and backup guard Miles McBride. Josh Hart’s triple-double and Karl-Anthony Towns’ impressive performance (31 points, 21 rebounds) which included at least 30 points and 10 rebounds for the third consecutive game, were instrumental in the Knicks’ victory. The Jazz, on the other hand, suffered their fifth straight loss, with Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson scoring 25 points each. Lauri Markkanen recorded a double-double, but his poor shooting from the field (6/22 FG; 1/10 for 3) and 3-point range hindered the team’s chances.
Karl-Anthony Towns over his last 3 games:
31 PTS – 21 REB – 4 AST
32 PTS – 13 REB – 68% FG
30 PTS – 14 REB – 68% FG(Via @realapp_ ) pic.twitter.com/cJ7Y9JCPZj
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 2, 2025
In another thrilling matchup, the Sacramento Kings secured a comeback victory against the Philadelphia 76ers, with a score of 113-107. The Kings’ strong defensive effort in the closing minutes, holding the 76ers scoreless for the final 3:30, was crucial in securing the win. De’Aaron Fox led the Kings with 35 points, while Malik Monk contributed 20 points and six assists. Domantas Sabonis had a standout performance with 17 points, 21 rebounds, and seven assists, helping the Kings erase a 14-point deficit in the first half and ultimately close out the game with a 15-0 run. The 76ers, despite a strong showing from Paul George, who recorded 30 points, and Tyrese Maxey, who had 27 points, six assists, and four steals, fell short in the final minutes of the game. The team was without key players Joel Embiid and Kelly Oubre Jr., while the Kings were missing Keegan Murray due to injuries. The victory marked the Kings’ second consecutive win at home under interim coach Doug Christie, and they will look to build on this momentum in their upcoming games.