What looked to be an easy win for the New York Knicks became a long and grueling dogfight. After leading by 21 points with 1:17 left in the third quarter, the Brooklyn Nets stormed back in the fourth quarter and took the lead with 12 seconds remaining in regulation on a three-pointer from Dennis Schroder. Suddenly, things were shaping up for another crushing defeat for the Knicks.
However, Jalen Brunson played the hero after coming up just short of a game-winner Wednesday against the Chicago Bulls. This time, the ball went in, sinking a three-pointer with six seconds remaining to give the Knicks the lead back. Mikal Bridges would then block Schroder’s attempt at tying the game at the rim, sealing the game and avoiding a disastrous collapse for New York, winning by a final score of 124-122.
The Knicks improve back to .500 at 6-6 while the Nets drop to 5-8.
Jalen Brunson led the way for the Knicks with Karl-Anthony Towns out
The Knicks were without Karl-Anthony Towns for the first time this season with a left knee contusion, meaning that Brunson was going to have to step up without his All-Star teammate. He did exactly that, as along with the game-winner, he finished with a season-high 37 points on 12-for-20 shooting (3-for-8 from three), seven assists and three rebounds.
The Knicks’ captain took over the game late, as he scored 16 points in the fourth quarter and kept his team in front while Brooklyn was mounting their comeback. Through the early part of the season, his clutch gene seemed to have gone missing as he was ice cold down the stretch of close games, but he seems to now be back into his All-NBA form as his heroics gave the Knicks a massive win.
The Knicks’ rookies gave them solid minutes with Miles McBride out
