The New York Knicks were able to rally late and give the Sacramento Kings a run for their money during Sunday night's road game, but it didn't prove enough, as the Kings managed to hold on for a 102-99 win.

Head coach Jeff Hornacek had made a change at the All-Star break in hopes to develop the team's youth, but his plan has backfired, as he challenged his players' toughness through this recent slate of games.

“We’re floating through things,” Hornacek said, according to Al Iannazzone of Newsday. “OK, we’re not in the playoffs, you still got to play with a desperation every time you go out on that court. The final quarter, that’s how you’re supposed to play all the time. It’s disappointing that they think they can just show up and play the game. You have to have a different attitude and play like you did in the fourth quarter.’’

The Knicks previously lost by 23 points to the L.A. Clippers and have now lost 12 of their last 13 games after a loss to the Kings, putting them at 24-40, not too soon after a promising start.

New York's playoff hopes for this season have gone by the wayside with the injury to Kristaps Porzingis, but Hornacek is expecting to see some fire coming from these young guns, before the front office makes the decision to shut guys down for the remainder of the 2017-18 campaign.

The Knicks will have their next chance at redemption on Tuesday, facing the third-seeded Portland Trail Blazers on the road.