Keon Ellis shines but Kings lose to New York Knicks in Las Vegas Summer League thriller

Keon Ellis turned in a sensational performance after struggling in Sacramento’s first two games at the Las Vegas Summer League, but the Kings came up short against the New York Knicks.

Tyler Kolek converted a three-point play with two seconds remaining to give the Knicks a thrilling 106-105 victory over the Kings on Wednesday at Cox Pavilion on the campus of UNLV.

Ellis had 29 points, four rebounds, six assists, two steals and four blocked shots for the Kings (1-2). Ellis went 10 of 18 from the field and 5 of 10 from 3-point range.

Mason Jones had 20 points and seven assists for Sacramento. Isaac Jones added 13 points and eight rebounds.

Kolek had 21 points and eight assists to lead thee Knicks (1-2). Damion Baugh and Rokas Jokubaitis scored 16 points apiece.

Ellis struggled in Friday’s loss to the Memphis Grizzlies and Monday’s win over the Utah Jazz, averaging 4.5 points while shooting 23.5% from the field and 11.1% from 3-point range. Ellis had seven points on 3-of-10 shooting against the Grizzlies. He was held to two points on 1-of-7 shooting against the Jazz.

Ellis helped Sacramento get off to a hot start against the Knicks, scoring 10 points in the first eight minutes while going 4 of 4 from the field with two 3-pointers. The Kings led 30-23 after shooting 55.6% in the first period.

The Knicks staged a 14-0 run to take a 37-30 lead with Ellis on the bench at the start of the second quarter. Ellis returned to help the Kings come back to tie the game at the halftime break.

Ellis had 16 points on 6-of-6 shooting before missing his first shot with 4:52 to play in the first half. He finished the half with 19 points on 7-of-9 shooting with two rebounds, five assists, two steals and four blocked shots.

The Knicks went up 86-78 early in the fourth quarter. They led 96-85 with 4:44 to play, but the Kings staged a 12-2 run to cut the deficit to one on a 3-pointer by Isaac Jones with 2:08 remaining.

Mason Jones made two free throws to put Sacramento up 102-101 with 34.8 seconds to go. The Knicks reclaimed the lead on a putback basket by Kolek with 14 seconds to go. Ellis hit a clutch 3-pointer to put the Kings up 105-103 with seven seconds remaining, but Kolek drew a foul on a driving layup in the final seconds to win the game for New York.