NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Jalen Brunson scored 29 of his season-high 39 points in the second half to power the New York Knicks to a 104-93 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans Saturday night.
All-NBA defensive player Herb Jones pressured Brunson in the first half, picking him up at three-quarters court. That pressure led to the Knicks’ 35.6% shooting in the first half, when New Orleans held a 49-45 lead. But Brunson caught fire in the third quarter, scoring 16 points, including 13 straight, which spurred a 22-6 run to erase what had been a 65-52 deficit and give New York a 74-71 lead.
Brunson continued his impressive play, scoring nine of the Knicks’ first 13 points of the fourth quarter, which extended their lead to 95-81. The Pelicans, who have now lost 15 of their last 16 games, were paced by Trey Murphy III with 26 points. Dejounte Murray added 14 points for New Orleans. The Knicks also benefited from solid contributions from Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby, who scored 18 and 16 points, respectively.
A key moment for the Knicks came midway through the third quarter when they were trailing 65-52. Brunson led his team on an explosive 43-14 run over the span of about 10 minutes, establishing the Knicks’ dominance heading toward the end of the game.
Brunson’s performance was particularly noteworthy, as he finished the night shooting 13 of 19 from the floor, including 7 of 10 from long range and perfect 6 for 6 from the free-throw line. His ability to turn the game around highlights his importance to the Knicks' campaign.
Looking forward, the Knicks are set to host the Toronto Raptors on Monday night, hoping to build on this momentum, whereas the Pelicans will face the Denver Nuggets on Sunday, aiming to break their current losing streak.
The Knicks' triumph over the Pelicans not only demonstrates their potential as playoff contenders but also highlights the emergence of Brunson as a leading player for the team. With significant contributions across the roster, New York is poised to turn their season around as they work to regain consistency and confidence on the court.
