When the pressure peaked and the game hung in the balance, the New York Knicks turned to their most trusted closer — and once again, he delivered.
Jalen Brunson put on a masterclass in crunch time, scoring 10 consecutive points and accounting for 15 of the Knicks’ final 18 to power his team to a hard-fought 121–116 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. The win marked the Knicks’ seventh straight, matching their second-longest streak of the season and tightening their race near the top of the Eastern Conference standings.
Although Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby led the scoring earlier in the game, it was Brunson who seized control when it mattered most. Calm and composed, he stuck to his rhythm and took over down the stretch — something Knicks fans have come to expect.
“I’m just staying true to myself,” Brunson said after the game. “Trusting my habits, my work ethic, and everything that got me here.”
Brunson didn’t just score — he created. He assisted on a crucial Josh Hart layup, meaning he played a role in 17 of the team’s final 18 points. He finished the night with a game-high 32 points and seven assists.
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Teammates weren’t surprised.
“That’s where he thrives,” Hart said. “The final minutes are winning time. That’s when your best players step up — and he showed exactly why he’s that guy.”
The Knicks were also sharp from the free-throw line, hitting 20 of 22 overall, including 11 of 12 in the fourth quarter. Their hustle showed in second-chance opportunities as well, where they dominated 14–2.
The victory puts New York neck-and-neck with Boston in the race for the No. 2 seed in the East, with only a slight difference in winning percentage separating the two teams.
The game itself was fast-paced and high-scoring, just as coach Mike Brown anticipated. The Pelicans pushed the tempo early, catching the Knicks off guard defensively in the first half. But New York adjusted after the break and regained control.
Zion Williamson, who had previously torched the Knicks in their last meeting, finished with 22 efficient points but was kept from taking over. Anunoby, in particular, made key defensive plays late — including a block and a steal in the fourth quarter.
The Knicks showcased impressive depth, with seven players scoring in double figures. Towns and Anunoby each had 21 points, while Mikal Bridges contributed 14. Josh Hart and Jordan Clarkson added 10 apiece, and Mitchell Robinson provided a strong boost off the bench with 10 points and eight rebounds.
As a team, the Knicks shot an efficient 51.8% from the field and nearly 40% from beyond the arc.
“It was a strange game,” Brown admitted. “Both teams were scoring at will — stops were hard to come by.”
Despite the Pelicans’ lower standing, they came into the matchup in good form, having won five of their previous seven games. With no incentive to tank and a healthy Williamson leading the charge, they proved to be a legitimate challenge.
The game swung wildly from the start. After trailing early, the Knicks closed the first quarter on a dominant 15–0 run. But the Pelicans responded with an 18–2 surge in the second quarter to take the lead. By halftime, New York had regained control and led by six.
The Pelicans edged ahead again in the third, leaving the Knicks with a slim one-point lead entering the fourth quarter.
Then Brunson returned to the floor — and took over.
As he has done so many times before, he turned a tight contest into his personal showcase, guiding the Knicks to yet another statement win.
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