JALEN BRUNSON erupted for a season-high 47 points as New York Knicks leaned on their backcourt and wing firepower to pull off a 132-125 victory over Miami Heat on Sunday night (Monday in the Philippines) in New York.
Brunson’s scoring outburst carried the Knicks despite a quiet night from Karl-Anthony Towns, who was limited to just two points and six rebounds in 29 minutes of playing time.
New York instead found production from across the lineup, with Mikal Bridges pouring in 24 points while shooting 6-of-7 from three-point range, OG Anunoby scoring all 18 of his points in the second half, and Josh Hart posting 13 points and 10 rebounds.
With Towns held scoreless for the first 25 minutes of the contest and posting his lowest scoring output since joining New York, Brunson, Bridges and Anunoby stepped up, particularly after halftime.
Miami made a late push in the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to 120-118 with 3:12 left after Ware knocked down his fifth three-pointer and Jaime Jaquez Jr. converted a pair of free throws.
The Knicks responded with an 8-0 run to regain control, highlighted by a Bridges three-pointer and three free throws from Brunson following a flagrant foul. They now have a 20-8 mark.
Miami was led by Kel’el Ware, who finished with 28 points and 19 rebounds, but the Heat continued to struggle, dropping their seventh game in the last eight to fall to 15-14.
Meanwhile, DeAaron Fox unloaded 27 points, including five three-pointers, to go with seven assists and six rebounds as San Antonio Spurs prevailed over Washington Wizards, 124-113.
Luke Kornet posted a double-double of 20 points and 12 rebounds, Stephon Castle tallied 16 points and 11 assists, Victor Wembanyama and Harrison Barnes had 14 each, and Keldon Johnson and Devin Vassell had 12 and 11, respectively.
In other results, Minnesota Timberwolves prevailed over Milwaukee Bucks, 103-100; Brooklyn Nets stunned Toronto Raptors, 96-81; and Chicago Bulls escaped Atlanta Hawks, 152-150, in a high-scoring affair./PN
