Kings' James Johnson, not Cousins, beats buzzer, Knicks

James Johnson made the shot of his career, right as Mike Breen figured out his name.

The Sacramento Kings forward nailed a three-pointer at the buzzer to beat the New York Knicks 106-105. Well, let's not sell him short. First he grabbed an offensive rebound. Then he tried a layup to tie it. Then he tipped out his own offensive rebound. Then he made the three-pointer to win it with time expiring.

"There was no thinking after that — I had to shoot it," Johnson said. "I knew it was good as soon as it left my hand."

But those watching MSG Network, the Knicks' broadcast station, only heard him get credit for the shot. Mike Breen, a fine broadcaster who does NBA games for ESPN, was on the call for MSG Network. Here's his call:

(Jason) Kidd lobs it to (Tyson) Chandler. Stolen by Cousins. Here comes (Isaiah) Thomas. Thomas back to Cousins. In to Thomas. Puts it up. Banker won't go. Cousins tips it out. Seven seconds remaining. Thomas on the drive. Leads it out, right corner to (John) Salmons. Salmons up top. Johnson puts it up. Oh, he puts it in! At the buzzer! At the buzzer! And breaks the Knicks' hearts here in Sacramento.

Those references to Cousins came from a mix-up with Kings center DeMarcus Cousins, who was on the court at the time. Cousins did get the crucial steal to set up the Kings' final possession, but he was slow to get back on offense, arriving in time to watch Johnson's three.

"It was a broken play and we made something out of it," Thomas said of the finish. "J.J. made a huge shot. We knew it was his first (three-pointer of the season). I've been clowning with him about it. I knew he hadn't made one yet."

Cousins and Johnson have similar hulking physiques and wore white headbands. But Cousins wears No. 15, while Johnson wears No. 52.

Cousins also is the Kings' best player and had 15 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and three steals. But he and the Kings did most of their work in the first half, leading by 27 late in the second quarter. The Knicks' came back to take a 105-101 lead with 2 minutes, 51 seconds remaining that held until Thomas nailed two free throws with 33.2 seconds left. Then New York took back the ball, turned it over and gave up the three-pointer to end it.

"We buried ourselves in the first two quarters, then we decided to defend in the third and fourth quarter," Woodson said. "We got back in it and had control at the end. They made a great shot."

It was a rough go for the banged-up Knicks, who played without at least three players expected to start in the preseason: Carmelo Anthony, Raymond Felton and Amar'e Stoudemire. Chandler had 21 points and 18 rebounds, while J.R. Smith picked up the scoring load with 28 points.

Kidd, returning to point guard after playing off the ball for much of the season, had 16 points, seven assists and six rebounds but also made the sloppy pass to lead to the Kings' final possession.

"I had Tyson wide open, it was an easy pass but I just turned it over and they came back and capitalized on it," Kidd said.

Johnson doesn't get many moments like this. He had 17 points, seven rebounds and three assists in what may be the best game of his pro career, when you factor in the game-winner. The former first-round pick is on his third team in four seasons and was averaging 4.7 points a game this season entering Friday. He hadn't even made a three-pointer.

At least he got credit for the big shot.