New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown didn’t maintain again after his staff’s 112-101 loss to the Sacramento Kings. Brown overtly criticized star Karl-Anthony Cities for an absence of effort on a key defensive play that shifted momentum late within the second quarter. Brown mentioned Cities didn’t dash again on protection after falling, a choice he believes price New York essential factors.
Brown’s Knicks have now misplaced six of their final eight video games, a stretch that has pulled them again within the aggressive Jap Convention. His blunt critique of Cities underscored rising frustration throughout the locker room and training employees.
The Play That Sparked the Criticism
The play in query got here with underneath two minutes left within the second quarter. Cities had pushed to the basket however fell after being stripped by Treasured Achiuwa. As a substitute of sprinting again, he stayed on the ground. That allowed Achiuwa to seize a protracted rebound and discover Russell Westbrook for an open nook three that pushed Sacramento’s result in 17 factors.
Brown described the sequence as a five-point swing that highlighted a broader problem with the staff’s urgency. “While you fall down, you’ve received to stand up and dash,” Brown mentioned. He added that even the final man again must hustle in case of a protracted rebound.
Mike Brown leaves the ground with none interactions with Doug Christie or another Kings gamers.pic.twitter.com/bTJecSucxJ
— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) January 15, 2026
Brown’s Powerful Message
Brown didn’t single Cities out with hate, however he used the second to emphasise effort and accountability. He mentioned the play wasn’t the one instance of New York’s lack of urgency. Brown burdened that the staff should execute the sport plan and play with constant depth.
Brown’s honesty displays stress mounting on the Knicks throughout this mid-season stretch. New York’s offense struggled, taking pictures simply 39 % from the sphere and a dismal 8-for-41 from three within the loss. Brown’s message was clear: effort issues as a lot as execution.
What This Means for Cities and the Knicks
Cities, a three-time All-Star and key offensive power, completed the sport with 13 factors on 6-of-20 taking pictures and struggled to make a constant influence. His teammates and coaches have praised his scoring potential in earlier video games this season, however this evening highlighted issues about effort on each ends of the ground.
Brown’s feedback may spark inner conversations about roles and expectations because the Knicks push deeper into the season. With the East tightening, sustaining focus and hustle might show decisive in shut video games.
