Minus Leading Scorer Harrington, Knicks Bow to Kings

With their leading scorer resting a sore left Achilles’, the Knicks had a tough time finding their usual high-powered offensive attack from the opening tip and never led in a shocking 121-94 loss to the Sacramento Kings Friday night at Madison Square Garden.

The defeat comes two nights after the Knicks were unable to put points on the board and slow down New Jersey at home following a very encouraging five-game road trip that had them two games out of the playoff picture.

“Something broke,” Head Coach Mike D’Antoni said. “I’m not really sure what it is.”

While Harrington was receiving additional treatment in hopes of playing Saturday night in Orlando, Nate Robinson took his place in the starting lineup and led six Knicks in double figures with 19 points. But by the time any player in orange and blue managed to score, the game was already out of reach.

The Knicks missed their first nine shots as Sacramento opened the night with 15 unanswered points before extending its lead to as many as 30 by the final buzzer. Following their third straight defeat, there was no explanation to the Knicks’ recent setbacks other than the possibility of hitting a late-season wall with 14 games left.

“I think it’s physical and mental,” Quentin Richardson said. “For us to be fighting for a playoff position and playing the way we are is very disheartening.”

The Knicks are now three and a half games back of eighth in the Eastern Conference playoff race with their next two against the Magic in a home-and-home set. Charlotte and New Jersey – two of the six teams fighting for the last spot – won on Friday.

Harrington could be back in uniform when the Knicks visit Orlando for the first time this season. The veteran forward, who has been playing in pain since landing awkwardly after taking a charge in his first game with the Knicks in late November, said he will know during Saturday’s shootaround if he’ll be available for the game.

“It’s just really sore right not and I’m just trying to get a couple days of rest,” Harrington said. “I’ll try to play tomorrow.”

The Knicks will need all the offensive firepower they have to keep up with the high-scoring Magic in the second of four meetings between the teams. Orlando, which ranks second in the NBA behind the Knicks in 3-pointers made and attempted, defeated New York 114-109 at The Garden on March 23.

“We’re going to keep fighting until they close the door on us and tell us there’s no way we can get in,” Harrington said. “Until then we’re going to remain positive, keep fighting and try to keep getting better and win games at the same time.”