Knicks’ Jalen Bronson returns in a marquee match against D’Aaron Fox, Kings
Jalen Brunson is set to return Thursday night in Sacramento after skipping the last two Knicks Knicks games with a left foot injury.
Bronson tested his left foot during warm-ups and was subsequently cleared to play.
Bronson’s return could not have come at the perfect time as they began a grueling four-game journey.
The Knicks are looking to bounce back after their nine-game winning streak was brought to a screeching halt Tuesday night by the lottery-bound Charlotte Hornets. The loss reduced the Knicks’ lead for the fifth seed to just one game over rivals the Brooklyn Nets, who are sorely lacking in their game Thursday night against the Milwaukee Bucks, the best team in the East.
All eyes will be on the backcourt final between Bronson and Dearon Fox, who also returned from a hamstring injury.
Fox and Bronson are neck and neck in the clutch player ladder.
The Kings All-Star guard currently leads all players in total (165) and point clutch average (5.5). Bronson trails Fox in total clutch points with 131, while his average clutch score of 4.1 trails only Fox, Bradley Beal (4.4) and DeMar DeRozan (4.2). But Bronson has the lowest total turnover ratio (5) among the top five clutch players this season.
Equally interesting is the showdown between All Star forwards Julius Randle and Domantas Sabonis. The Kings’ big man is the league leader in double-doubles with 52. Randle is tied with Giannis Antetokounmpo by no. 4 with 38.
Another interesting thing was the sidelines chess match between Mike Brown and Tom Thibodeau, two of the Coach of the Year nominees.
Brown turned the Kings into an offensive powerhouse, leading the league with 118.7 points per 100 possessions. On the other hand, Thibodeau can no longer be boxed as a defensive coach, as the Knicks have had a top 5 offense this season, averaging 116.3 points per 100 possessions, while their defense is creeping into the top 10. With the defending champions Golden Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers no. 11. The Kings defense left a lot to be desired as they are in the bottom six in the league.
If this game fails, who would be more matchable between Bronson and Fox?
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