Knicks dominate Pelicans 118-85, extend Garden streak to four

The New York Knicks delivered a statement win, crushing the New Orleans Pelicans 118-85 for their fourth consecutive victory at Madison Square Garden. The game was all but decided in the opening minutes as the Knicks raced out to a commanding 25-4 lead and never allowed the Pelicans a chance to recover.

Mikal Bridges led the way with 31 points, including 13 in the first quarter. It was a much-needed bounce-back performance for Bridges, who struggled in the previous game against Charlotte and didn’t see the floor in the fourth quarter. He was on fire last night, shooting 12-of-19 from the field and draining 7-of-12 from beyond the arc.

“It was much needed. And most importantly, it led to a win. The way he was playing, he was confident and it was flowing.”

– Jalen Brunson

Karl-Anthony Towns continued his dominance on the boards, grabbing 19 rebounds to go along with 14 points. Remarkably, 17 of those rebounds came in the first half, as Towns thrived in his natural position at center since joining the Knicks. Since the move, he’s been a rebounding machine, averaging 13 per game.

Jalen Brunson added 16 points and 9 assists, orchestrating the offense with precision as the Knicks dished out 30 assists on the night—10 more than the Pelicans. Miles McBride also made his mark off the bench, contributing 13 points, including a floating jumper in the fourth quarter that pushed the Knicks to their largest lead of the night at 103-62.

The defense was just as impressive as the offense. The Knicks suffocated the Pelicans, holding them to just 28 first-half points, a season low not just for New Orleans but for any team. By halftime, the Knicks had built a 57-28 lead, and they only extended the gap in the second half, entering the fourth quarter up by 40 points.

The Pelicans struggled mightily to find any rhythm, with CJ McCollum and Brandon Boston Jr. each managing just 13 points—the highest marks for New Orleans on the night.

The Knicks shot 45.7% from the field, knocked down 20 three-pointers, and dominated the glass with a 60-42 rebounding advantage. This balanced and relentless performance reinforces their status as one of the most dynamic teams in the league.

Up-next: The Knicks (12-8) will host the Magic (15-7) in the NBA Cup on Tuesday night from 7:30 pm.