Knicks Dominate Blazers To Extend Winning Streak At Home

The New York Knicks have found their groove again, and Friday night at Madison Square Garden was the latest proof. In a dominant wire-to-wire performance, the Knicks dispatched the Portland Trail Blazers 127-97, notching their fifth straight win and capping off a dramatic turnaround from a recent slump. With this victory, New York improved to 30-18 on the season and 19-6 at home, while the Blazers, now 23-26, saw their losing streak extended to four games.

Just a week ago, the Knicks were on shaky ground. They had dropped nine of 11 games, and questions swirled about their contender status. Jalen Brunson, the team’s floor general, had challenged his teammates to “care” more, and the mood in the locker room was tense. But what a difference a week makes in the NBA. As coach Mike Brown put it after the win, “We went through a little bit of adversity in terms of our wins and losses. Our guys just kind of stayed with it. We kept trying to help them as best we could. Those guys stayed with it, they stayed together. This is a veteran group that has been through a lot. They figured out what they needed to do to play at a high level. They’re going out there and showing it.”

The Knicks wasted no time setting the tone against Portland. After a 15-point lead at the end of the first quarter, New York opened the second with a 9-0 run, stretching the advantage to 24. The Blazers, plagued by another slow start, made just four of their first 16 shots and found themselves in a hole early. While Portland managed to cut the deficit to 10 by halftime, thanks in part to a 23-7 run led by Shaedon Sharpe, the Knicks quickly regained control in the third quarter and never looked back. By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, New York’s lead had ballooned to as many as 33 points, allowing Coach Brown to empty his bench with over four minutes remaining.

Jalen Brunson, fresh off a bout with illness, led the way with a team-high 26 points. His four-point play at the end of the first quarter was a highlight, energizing both the crowd and his teammates. OG Anunoby was right behind him, pouring in 24 points on 10-for-17 shooting, including 10 points in the final period as he took over late. Josh Hart continued his all-around excellence, adding 20 points, six rebounds, and five assists. Hart’s performance also moved him into a tie with Atlanta’s Jalen Johnson for the NBA lead in double-doubles, each with 31 on the season.

Karl-Anthony Towns, the NBA’s leading rebounder at 11.8 boards per game, posted his second consecutive 20-rebound game, finishing with 14 points and 20 rebounds, six of them on the offensive glass. Towns’ quick outlets after defensive rebounds sparked the Knicks’ transition game, and his presence inside was a constant problem for Portland. Towns now has 31 double-doubles this season, further cementing his reputation as one of the league’s most consistent big men.

The Knicks’ defensive resurgence has been a key factor in this winning streak. They have held opponents under 100 points in four of their last five games, a testament to their renewed focus and trust on that end of the floor. As Josh Hart explained, “I think we’re trusting each other more. Obviously, during that skid, during film and all that, we had guys talk and that was one thing, I think [Miles McBride] said, we gotta make sure we continue to trust each other. When you’re on the ball, trust that the guys are gonna be in the shifts for you. Somebody gets blown by, the big steps up, the big has a trust that the guard is gonna sink into his man, someone is gonna X out. I think we’re just continuing to gain that trust. I think we’re communicating more on the defensive end. You do that, that helps the trust area.”

For the Blazers, Shaedon Sharpe was the lone bright spot, leading all scorers with 26 points on 10-for-16 shooting, including four three-pointers. His second-quarter flurry helped Portland cut into the Knicks’ lead, but it wasn’t enough to change the game’s momentum. Jerami Grant and Sidy Cissoko added 15 points apiece off the bench, while Caleb Love chipped in 12. Deni Avdija, who has been one of the league’s breakout stars this season, was stifled by the Knicks’ defense, finishing with just 11 points on 4-for-14 shooting and four turnovers in 28 minutes.

Robert Williams III made his presence felt for Portland with 11 rebounds, three blocks, and two steals, despite scoring just four points. His defensive work and rebounding were crucial in keeping the Blazers competitive on the glass, but the team’s slow start and inability to contain the Knicks’ offensive weapons proved insurmountable.

New York’s bench also contributed significantly, with Tyler Kolek scoring 13 points—10 of them in the fourth quarter—and Mohamed Diawara adding 10. Mikal Bridges, a starter, chipped in 10 points as well. The Knicks saw seven players reach double figures, underscoring the depth and balance that have become hallmarks of their recent success.

This was the Knicks’ fourth wire-to-wire victory of the season, a statistic that speaks volumes about their ability to set the tone early and maintain control throughout. Their five-game winning streak has featured four double-digit victories, including three against teams currently in the playoff picture. The turnaround has been swift and decisive—just weeks ago, a blowout loss to the Mavericks at Madison Square Garden seemed to signal a downward spiral. Instead, the Knicks have responded with renewed energy and focus, putting themselves firmly back in the Eastern Conference conversation.

The Blazers, meanwhile, will look to regroup as they head home to face the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday, February 2. Their fourth straight loss ties a season high, matching a skid from November 14-19, and they’ll be eager to snap out of their current funk. Trade rumors continue to swirl around Robert Williams III, whose contract expires at season’s end, adding another layer of intrigue as the deadline approaches.

For the Knicks, the next test comes quickly, as they prepare to host the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, February 1. With momentum on their side and their defense clicking, New York fans have every reason to be optimistic. If the last week has shown anything, it’s that this team has the resilience and depth to weather adversity—and perhaps, to make some noise as the season heats up.