Knicks Wild Win Over Pelicans

NEW ORLEANS — When the Knicks needed to make a play, they found their way out, yet again. It’s almost becoming part of their character, thanks in part to Jalen Brunson, who’s been a clutch player all season. On Monday, they managed a messy, yet ultimately satisfying, 130-125 win against the Pelicans.

Brunson and Miles McBride were pivotal, combining for 11 of the last 13 points in the game during the final two and a half minutes. Brunson hit two key shots with just over a minute remaining, and McBride sealed the game from the free-throw line.

For the Pelicans, who are struggling at 8-26, there was a glimmer of hope to tie it up in the closing seconds while trailing by three. However, Jordan Poole committed a foul and his desperate three-point attempt barely grazed the backboard. Ouch.

It was a disappointing end for Zion Williamson, who had an impressive night with 32 points in just 29 minutes. Winning a close game against the Knicks (23-9) is tough; they’ve shown confidence and poise under pressure time and again.

Brunson led the Knicks with a solid 28 points, and OG Anunoby contributed 23 more. There was also a tense moment late in the fourth quarter when a rebound battle resulted in a review. The referees overturned a Pelicans call which had both teams fuming about the delay, but ended up tying the game after all.

New Orleans’ Trey Murphy III hit a three-pointer shortly after, but honestly, it didn’t impact the outcome. Despite their sloppiness, the Knicks were clutch when it counted.

The Knicks’ defense had issues throughout the game, allowing a staggering 75 points before halftime. Sadiq Bey dropped 26 points before the break, while Williamson became increasingly aggressive, driving to the basket and drawing fouls on Karl-Anthony Towns. In fact, Williamson tallied 18 points and snagged five rebounds before the second half.

Mohamed Diawara stepped into the forward role, filling in for the injured Josh Hart. He started strong, scoring 13 points in the first quarter, including an impressive three-of-three from beyond the arc, finishing with a career-high of 18 points.

This improvement is noteworthy for a player who hadn’t scored more than five points in a game before. Coach Brown, who seems optimistic about Diawara’s potential, mentioned how he’s got an exceptional feel for the game, especially for a young player at 20 years old. “He learns quickly, works hard, and he’s getting better by the day,” he remarked.

The Knicks were missing Hart and Mitchell Robinson for this game, with Robinson managing his load and not attending. McBride made his return after being sidelined for nine games with an ankle injury, scoring 14 points in 18 minutes.

Brown’s bench was notably deeper this time, with 12 players in action during the first half. He even brought Gershon Yabusele back into the mix, who added nine points in 16 minutes. This seems to be part of his strategy to foster team spirit and involvement, a move that Mikal Bridges praised for boosting bench morale.

Bridges mentioned that this approach fuels competitive energy among the players, making everyone feel like they have a role in the team dynamic. “It helps us grow together. Knowing you could be called upon keeps the energy up,” he said. “It’s just a different vibe, especially when everyone knows they can contribute at any moment.”