Knicks Triumph Over Pelicans in Thrilling Matchup
In a closely contested game on Monday night, the New York Knicks emerged victorious against the New Orleans Pelicans with a final score of 130-125, securing their third consecutive win. Here are the key highlights from the thrilling matchup:
Game Highlights
Mohamed Diawara, making his third start of the season and second in a row, quickly set the tone by scoring the first basket, a three-pointer that helped the Knicks jump to an early 5-0 lead. The 2025 second-round draft pick from France demonstrated his scoring ability right from the start, matching his career-high with five points before the game had even settled.
However, a swift 9-0 run by the Pelicans quickly shifted momentum as they took the lead. Jalen Brunson contributed significantly, responding with a three-point play and later tying the game with his first three-pointer. Diawara continued to impress, sinking his second three and racking up a total of 11 points in just six minutes of play. Despite New Orleans gaining a four-point lead through the efforts of Jordan Poole and Saddiq Bey‘s shooting, Diawara made a strong drive to narrow the gap, finishing the first quarter with 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting. Meanwhile, Bey stole the spotlight with a remarkable 23 points during the first quarter, helping the Pelicans hold a 41-37 advantage after the initial period.
Second Quarter Action
As the second quarter commenced, Tyler Kolek made an immediate impact, scoring for the Knicks, but even with contributions from OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns, New York struggled to regain the lead. Zion Williamson, making his starting debut after coming off the bench for seven games, scored decisively, contributing to his 18 points by halftime. Anunoby eventually found his rhythm in the second quarter after a scoreless first, tallying 16 points and assisting the Knicks in tying the game at 65, only for Poole’s shooting to restore the Pelicans’ lead.
As halftime approached, Diawara closed out the half strong, hitting his fourth three-pointer, leading to a 75-72 scoreline favoring New Orleans.
Third Quarter Highlights
The third quarter saw both teams exchange baskets in a high-paced contest, with Williamson continuing his scoring spree and Trey Murphy III connecting on long-range shots to bolster the Pelicans’ lead. The Knicks, however, benefitted from balanced scoring as all starters contributed early in the quarter, which included a notable performance from Kevin McCullar Jr. After Anunoby’s three pushed them to within striking distance, an unexpected scoring drought from both ends ensued until Poole sank a layup late in the quarter. Despite the Knicks making up ground towards the end, New Orleans exited the third period with a 103-96 lead.
Fourth Quarter Comeback
In the fourth quarter, the Knicks turned up their defensive intensity, restricting the Pelicans to just three points in the initial five minutes. This turnaround allowed New York to equalize with a look from McBride and regain the advantage with a Towns three-pointer. Although they hit a dry spell that momentarily allowed New Orleans to reclaim the lead, Brunson’s clutch shooting, including two key three-pointers, sparked New York’s push.
With the clock winding down, Brunson expertly extended the lead with a floater and a layup, ensuring the Knicks maintained control. In the dying moments, McBride hit four critical free throws to cement the win.
Player to Watch
OG Anunoby was a standout performer despite a slow start, finishing with 23 points, 11 rebounds, three steals, and a block, along with a game-high plus-16 rating.
