The Sports Informant

By Scott Levin
Sports Informant Contributing Writer

Five players on the court, fighting, competing and contributing to a victory. It hadn’t happened in February. And through 40 minutes Tuesday in New York, it wasn’t happening, either. But led by the unreal, incomparable rookie Tyreke Evans, something inside the Kings clicked. Down by 15 points with 7:33 left, the Kings flipped the switch on the Knicks. Led by Evans and bolstered by massive contributions from plenty of others, Sacramento stormed back, forced overtime and sprinted past the Knicks, 118-114.

Tyreke Evans led the way for a Sacramento comeback over the Knicks Tuesday night. (Photo courtesy Dave Heylen)

1 – How can you not start with Evans? Evans was as cold as he’s been all season through much of the game. He started the game 6-16 from the field. But with his team on life support, Evans came alive. Attack after attack after attack. Evans pounded the helpless Jared Jeffries, who may still be cemented underneath his basket. With 12 points in the final 6:48 and two more in overtime via some clutch free throws, Evans again left all observers with their jaws on the floor.

2 – Jason Thompson was the force in the paint Kings fans have been dying to see for weeks. Dealing with struggles on and off the court, Thompson put all that aside in New York. He spent much of the second half as the Kings center. And whenever the Kings needed a loose ball or a big rebound or a key blocked shot, it was Thompson delivering the goods. The sophomore was active on both ends, battling – and neutralizing – Knicks bruiser David Lee. And Thompson’s dunk in the waning seconds of regulation sent the game into an extra period. He finished with 12 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks off the Kings bench.

3 – The pressure was on Omri Casspi. After a meeting with David Stern on Monday, Casspi was the center of attention Tuesday, with the Knicks celebrating Jewish Heritage Night. But Casspi showed that he relishes the spotlight. The Kings rookie shot out of the gate, scoring 16 first-half points and proving to be the Kings only reliable option early on.

4 – It’s hard to recognize Donte Greene sometimes. The Kings misfit rookie of a year ago seems so comfortable on the floor, regardless of the magnitude of the situation. Greene always makes his presence known in some way, whether it’s a timely three-pointer, a hard-fought rebound or key defensive stop. Against New York, Greene was a constant from start to finish. He scored 24 points (9-12 FG) and added eight rebounds, three assists, two 3-pointers and one steal. The growth continues.

5 – When the Kings desperately needed to maintain momentum at the start of overtime, Kevin Martin stepped up. Martin scored the Kings first nine points of overtime, converting two jump shots, two free throws and a corner three that made him sigh in relief. It’s been a rough stretch for the longest-tenured King, but what a huge time to step up. Martin started the game on the bench after missing the shootaround with migraine. But he played 31 minutes, converting 7-13 from the floor for 17 points.