New York Knicks: Who Stepped Up Against The Sacramento Kings?

Brandon Jennings

New York Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek has been pleading with Brandon Jennings to take advantage of his scoring opportunities. Jennings’ uncanny ability to ignite the offense as a facilitator is invaluable to the Knicks, but his scoring proficiency can be just as significant.

Against the Sacramento Kings, Jennings let it fly as a shooter and was aggressive in drawing contact and getting to the line.

Jennings was electrifying, recording 19 points, three assists, and a rebound in his 26 brilliant minutes of play. He shot 5-of-7 from the field, 2-of-4 from beyond the arc, and 7-of-7 from the free throw line.

Jennings finished with a +/- of +10 and seemed to step up whenever the Knicks needed someone to weather the storm.

Jennings has been facilitating at an exceptionally high level, but he needed this game. His facilitating undoubtedly helps—New York is 6-3 when he dishes out at least five assists and 5-6 when he doesn’t—but he’s too good of a scorer to ignore that area of his game.

Jennings has been reluctant to shoot in 2016-17, but this performance should reassure him that Hornacek’s request to see him score more has a purpose.