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

Kristaps Porzingis

If not for his performance in the fourth quarter, Kristaps Porzingis would have been left off of this list. He may have recorded a double-double—and that undoubtedly matters—but Porzingis shot just 6-of-19 from the field against the Sacramento Kings.

True as that may be, Porzingis stepped up when Carmelo Anthony came off the floor in the fourth quarter and gave the Knicks the necessary push to maintain a winning pace.

Porzingis finished with 17 points, 10 rebounds, two offensive boards, and a pair of steals in 35 minutes. He may have shot poorly, but he posted a +/- of +4 and managed to convert all four of his free throw attempts.

With his third double-double in four games, Porzingis further established how hard he’s working to be better and more productive as a rebounder.

Porzingis threw down a dunk to tie the game at 80-80 with 10:34 remaining on the clock. He then crossed his man up and hit a gorgeous jumper to make it 85-82 with 9:04 remaining, and flushed home another dunk to make it 89-84 with 7:58 remaining.

Say what you will about the rest of his performance, but Porzingis overcame a slow start to score six game-changing points in the fourth quarter while Anthony was resting.