Brunson’s 30-point, 15-assist masterclass leads Knicks past Nuggets 122-112
The New York Knicks kept their offensive firestorm alive, setting a franchise record with 408 points across their last three games after taking down the Denver Nuggets 122-112 at Madison Square Garden. Jalen Brunson was the orchestrator once again, delivering a brilliant 30-point, 15-assist performance to lead the way.
This one wasn’t smooth sailing from start to finish, though. The Knicks found themselves trailing 74-66 midway through the third quarter, but they didn’t let it snowball. An 8-0 run tied the game, and then they closed the quarter on a strong 9-2 surge, giving them a 93-86 lead heading into the final frame.
Early in the fourth, the Knicks blew the game open. A 10-0 burst, capped by an OG Anunoby three-pointer, pushed the lead to 105-92—New York’s biggest advantage of the night. But the former champions weren’t going to go down that easily. With Aaron Gordon and Nikola Jokić shooting consecutive 3 pointers, the Nuggets clawed back, cutting the deficit to 110-106 with 4:42 left after Gordon also hit a mid-range jumper.
That was as close as Denver got. The Knicks immediately responded with six unanswered points, pushing the lead back to double digits at 116-106 with 2:44 remaining. That stretch proved to be the dagger, and the Knicks never looked back.
“They’re playing really well. They’re well coached, they’re pushing the pace, and in the half-court they know what they’re doing. So they’re a really good team. I think they are the favorites, not the favorites, but I think top five candidates for the title.”
– Nikola Jokić
Anunoby was pivotal in the victory, finishing with 23 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns logged a well-rounded 14-point, 10-rebound, 5-assist effort. Josh Hart continued to do a little bit of everything, contributing 15 points in another high-energy performance.
Denver had its moments, particularly in the second quarter. After trailing 60-52 with just over a minute left in the first half, the Nuggets went on a furious 22-6 run, flipping the script and taking the lead for the first time since the early minutes of the game. Jamal Murray led the Nuggets with 33 points, while Jokić had a relatively quiet 17-point night, and Aaron Gordon chipped in 15.
The Knicks’ hot start was largely thanks to Jokić picking up two quick personal fouls in the first 90 seconds of the game. With the former Finals MVP stuck on the bench for nearly a quarter and a half, the Knicks jumped out to an 18-6 lead and kept momentum on their side until his return.
As has been the case all season, ball movement was a key factor in the win. The Knicks finished with 33 assists—improving their record to a remarkable 19-1 when hitting the 30-assist mark.
The numbers told the full story: they outscored Denver 60-52 in the paint, dominated fast-break points 25-18, and took much better care of the ball, committing just six turnovers compared to Denver’s 14. Those extra possessions paid off, as the Knicks turned those Nuggets’ mistakes into 23 points while conceding only three the other way.
With their offense clicking and their ability to close games improving, the Knicks are now just one game behind the second-seeded Boston Celtics—yet another statement win.
Up-next: Knicks (32-16) will host the Lakers (26-19) on Saturday night from 8:30pm.