Jalen Brunson showcased his scoring prowess with 31 points, including two clutch free throws at the pivotal moment, leading the New York Knicks to narrowly edge out the Charlotte Hornets 99-98, marking their third consecutive win in the NBA Cup play on Friday night.
Playing at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, the Knicks faced off against a depleted Hornets squad missing several key players. Notable absences were LaMelo Ball, who has been on fire lately averaging over 40 points per game, alongside Miles Bridges and Mark Williams. The Hornets appeared resilient, nevertheless, managing to keep the game extremely competitive.
The Knicks entered the contest needing to boost their point differential to gain leverage against the Orlando Magic, who currently lead Group A. It was their performance against the Hornets, who had already suffered from injuries throughout the season, which called for not just victory but ideally, by significant margin. Karl-Anthony Towns pitched in admirably with 19 points and 12 rebounds, aiding Brunson’s efforts.
Despite their talent, the Knicks had trouble finding their rhythm early. They began the game sluggishly, committing eight turnovers just in the first quarter and only managing to score 15 points during this stretch. The Hornets, benefitting from their underdog mentality, capitalized on the Knicks' lackluster performance, leading as the first half drew to a close.
Brunson, who proved to be the backbone of the Knicks during crunch time, scored effectively and found ways to execute plays even against solid defense. His mid-range jumper with approximately five minutes left not only put the Knicks back on top but also solidified their confidence going forward. He commented post-game, “We came out really soft, made some runs, and then they made some shots where it looked like they just were going to get away from us. We kept fighting and found a way to get a win. So a win is a win and we learn from it.”
The Knicks appeared to pull away slightly late in the fourth quarter, but resilience returned for the Hornets. Cody Martin had the opportunity to put Charlotte back on top with 23 seconds remaining, attempting a three-pointer which narrowly missed its target. Nevertheless, Mikal Bridges’ defensive presence and the Knicks' strategic changes proved key as they managed to keep the lead intact.
For the Hornets, Brandon Miller provided some excitement with his 20 points, outshining others on the night, including Josh Green with 15 points. Miller, known for his shooting ability, faced challenges as he ended the game shooting just 7-for-25 from the floor and struggled significantly beyond the arc.
Knicks Head Coach Tom Thibodeau acknowledged the struggles the team has faced yet remained optimistic post-game. “I’m really proud about what we were able to do [against the Hornets]. To stay connected. Games like this haven’t gone our way. So for us to get this win is a step in the right direction for our team,” he shared.
The game’s intensity heightened as the final moments unfolded. After Brunson’s free throws secured their slim lead, the Hornets hurried down the court but could not connect on their attempts to regain the lead. While the Knicks escaped with the win, they did not overlook their many turnovers (19 total for the game) and overall shooting struggles, which left room for improvement.
The Knicks will now reminisce on this hard-fought victory as they prepare to host the New Orleans Pelicans next, followed by another set of home games. Meanwhile, the Hornets face the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday night, aiming to recover from their recent setbacks.
This intense matchup not only served to showcase individual star power but highlighted the competitive nature inherent within the NBA, where even shorthanded teams like the Hornets can rise to the occasion when faced with the odds stacked against them.
With this victory, the Knicks are now positioned at 3-0 within the NBA Cup grouping, and with their eyes set on the next match against the Magic, the stakes continue to rise. Fans will certainly be hopeful of seeing their team maintain this upward momentum and address their inconsistencies moving forward.
