"Tyreke Evans even had to wonder if he was himself.

After missing the previous three games with a sprained left ankle, Evans returned to the starting lineup Friday night in the Kings' 93-83 win over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

Evans missed 11 of his 15 shots and admitted he was rusty after having not played since he sprained his ankle last Thursday.

"You ever see 'Space Jam,' when they took their talent away?" Evans asked, in reference to the 1996 movie starring Michael Jordan playing against aliens. "It was like I didn't have any for a minute."

Kings coach Paul Westphal didn't know what to expect from Evans taking a week off. He didn't like seeing Evans miss shots around the rim that he usually makes when he's healthy.

Evans said his ankle was a little sore after the game, but it wasn't swollen and overall felt fine.

"I always worry when he can't finish because he's such a phenomenal finisher," Westphal said. "I'm sure his timing and strength were just a little bit off. He said he wasn't in pain, so that's a good thing for us.""