Knicks roll past Hornets 134-131 in OT Thriller

The Knicks are on a winning streak early in the season after connecting the third straight win last night at the Garden, defeating the Charlotte Hornets 134-131 in extra time.

Jalen Brunson had another strong game, leading the Knicks with 27 points while shooting 10-15 from the field. He also had a game high 13 assists and 7 rebounds. He shot a key three pointer with 59 seconds left in the overtime to put the Knicks up 130-127 and scored 6 of New York’s 12 points from the decisive act.

“We found a way to win this game. We stayed poised and kept finding plays to make at the end of the game.”

– Jalen Brunson

But the win was quite dramatic. With just 5.8 seconds left to play, Hornets’ PJ Washington made a shot from behind the arc that would had tied the game. The refs, however, ruled it a 2-pointer because the margins of his sneaker touched the line. This put less pressure on RJ Barret who was fouled immediately and sent to the free throw line making both of them. As time was running out and up by 3, the Knicks just fouled their former player, Dennis Smith Jr, not risking him making a long three that would had pushed for a second period of OT.

Barrett had 22 points and 8 rebounds. He was 9-21 from the field and went 0-5 from long distance. Julius Randle struggled as well with his shooting, finished with 17 points but made a couple of shots in crunch time when it mattered.

Mitchell Robinson impressed once again and put up a block party. Six blocks, eight rebounds and nine points in 37 minutes.

The bench was productive as well with Derrick Rose and Immanuel Quickley finishing in double figures to combine 23 points.

The Hornets were led by Gordon Haywards’ 21 points. PJ Washinggton and Kelly Oubre Jr had 17 buckets each, just as Jalen McDaniels off the bench. DSJ on the other hand seems to be revamping his career. The former Knick finished in double double with 14 points and 11 assists for his fourth team.

Up-next: Knicks (3-1) travel to Milwaukee on Friday night to take on the Bucks (3-0)