Precious Achiuwa Shines as Kings Rout Knicks Amidst Brunson’s Ankle Injury

In a dramatic turn of events that underscored contrasting team fortunes and individual resurgence, Precious Achiuwa delivered a career-defining performance against his former team, the New York Knicks, leading the Sacramento Kings to a decisive 112-101 victory. The win on Wednesday night, January 14, 2026, was particularly sweet for the Kings, who, despite their season-long struggles, have now notched three consecutive wins. For the Knicks, however, the night was marred by the early exit of their star point guard, Jalen Brunson, due to a recurring ankle injury, signaling potential trouble ahead.

Achiuwa, who signed with the Kings in November 2024 after his tenure with the Knicks, seized the spotlight, dropping a season-high 20 points and pulling down 14 rebounds in 39 minutes on the court. His dominant presence was a stark reminder of the talent he possesses, a talent he feels is now fully unleashed. In an exclusive interview with The Post, Achiuwa, 26, reflected on his time in New York, stating, “I don’t think we had a bad bench. You could never say the bench is not good if you don’t play the bench. How are you supposed to know that?” This pointed critique hints at a perceived lack of opportunity and trust in his previous role, a sentiment he now contrasts with the “freedom” he enjoys in Sacramento, where his playing style is, in his words, “better suited.”

Brunson’s Recurring Ankle Nightmare Strikes Again

The Knicks’ night took a grim turn just 7:45 into the first quarter when Jalen Brunson twisted his right ankle while dribbling near the 3-point line. There was no contact on the play, merely an awkward plant of his foot that underscored the instability of the tendon. Brunson, visibly limping, hobbled through a couple more possessions before being subbed out and retreating to the locker room. He finished with a mere four points, his lowest total in nearly two years, and was subsequently ruled out for the remainder of the game. ESPN reported that while he left without speaking to reporters, he didn’t have a noticeable limp and wasn’t wearing a walking boot, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the concern.

This latest injury is a troubling echo of Brunson’s past. It’s the same right ankle that sidelined him for a month last season due to a sprain. He re-sprained it in November, missing two games, and also tweaked it multiple times during last season’s playoff run. Each recurrence adds a layer of anxiety for Knicks fans and management, raising questions about the long-term stability of their cornerstone player’s ankle. The Knicks were already trailing 16-8 when Brunson departed, and his absence proved to be an insurmountable hurdle.

Knicks’ Offensive Struggles Without Their Star

Without their primary playmaker, the Knicks’ offense looked lost and disjointed. They shot an abysmal 8-for-41 from beyond the arc, a glaring statistic that illustrates their inability to generate consistent scoring. Their deficit remained in double digits after halftime, a testament to their struggles to adapt in Brunson’s absence. Karl-Anthony Towns, expected to step up as the featured scorer, instead shrunk under the pressure, managing only 13 points on 5-for-14 shooting in 33 minutes. Miles McBride, who took over point guard duties, fared little better, shooting 4-for-14 overall, including 2-for-8 on three-pointers. This collective offensive slump led coach Mike Brown to label the loss as ‘one of the worst, if not the worst, games we’ve played the entire year,’ lamenting, ‘We didn’t respond. We didn’t respond at all.’

The irony of the situation was palpable for Kings coach Mike Brown, who returned to Sacramento to a warm reception. Brown, who was unceremoniously fired by the Kings about a year ago despite resurrecting the franchise from irrelevance during his 2 ½ seasons, revealed he partook in ‘revelrous drinking’ the night before. Reporters fawned over him in his pregame news conference, with one Sacramento scribe remarking, ‘I can say this personally and professionally, what happened to you was cold blood, brah.’ Brown, ever gracious, acknowledged the business side of the NBA: “Our businesses, like most businesses, they’re tricky. And people look at results a certain way. And it’s not much in our business and so for me no matter what job I had, when I got fired, if I got fired, I’ve always been appreciative of the opportunity.” The Kings’ dominant performance against his former team, even without Brunson, served as a powerful, if unspoken, validation of his coaching prowess.

Achiuwa’s Resurgence and the Kings’ Unexpected Triumph

Precious Achiuwa’s journey to Sacramento was not without its twists. After joining the Knicks via trade in 2023, he initially became an important contributor, logging heavy minutes at power forward following Julius Randle’s shoulder injury. During a significant 17-game midseason stretch, Achiuwa averaged an impressive 12.7 points and 9.8 rebounds in 37 minutes, earning appreciation from the Madison Square Garden faithful. However, after re-signing in the summer of 2024, a hamstring strain in preseason and subsequent rotation inconsistencies saw him marginalized, especially during the playoffs. This context makes his current performance with the Kings all the more significant, showcasing a player thriving when given consistent opportunity and a role that aligns with his strengths.

Despite this setback, the Knicks, with a respectable 25-15 record, still hold second place in the Eastern Conference. They were just beginning to regain health, with Josh Hart returning after an eight-game absence due to an ankle sprain suffered on Christmas Day. However, Brunson’s injury casts a long shadow over their aspirations. The team will now travel to San Francisco for a matchup with the Golden State Warriors, facing the daunting task of regrouping without their floor general.

Precious Achiuwa’s standout performance against his former team and Jalen Brunson’s recurring ankle injury serve as a powerful narrative of diverging paths and immediate consequences. For Achiuwa, it’s a testament to the transformative power of a new environment and expanded role, proving that untapped potential often lies dormant until the right opportunity arises. For the Knicks, Brunson’s vulnerability highlights a critical dependency on a single player, exposing a fragility that could derail their promising season if they cannot find a way to consistently perform when their star is sidelined.