Knicks Achieve Significant Victory
The New York Knicks achieved a significant victory against the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday night, triumphing 133-120 and marking their fifth consecutive win. The game showcased their dominance at Madison Square Garden, as they now hold a flawless 7-0 record at home this season. This match was especially notable since it marked the first occasion in franchise history that the Knicks have exceeded 130 points in three successive games.
Game Highlights
The first half saw the Knicks leap ahead by 23 points, leading by as much as 28 during the third quarter. Following a dynamic start where the Knicks trailed initially, they turned the momentum quickly. After allowing Memphis to score the first points of the game, New York rallied back, propelled by OG Anunoby’s energetic plays. With star center Mitchell Robinson sidelined, Landry Shamet contributed with five of the Knicks’ early eleven points, while Jalen Brunson hit a crucial three-pointer.
As the opening quarter unfolded, Karl-Anthony Towns began to find his rhythm, powering through for a thunderous dunk that temporarily put Memphis up 18-15. However, New York quickly found an offensive groove, finishing the first quarter strong with a 12-0 run, boosted by innovative plays from Josh Hart and Brunson, ending the quarter with a lead of 42-30.
Momentum continued to shift in favor of the Knicks as they extended their scoring run to 19-0 early in the second quarter. Mikal Bridges and Jaren Jackson Jr. attempted to revive Memphis’ advocacy, but the Knicks maintained their lead with effective fast breaks and excellent shooting. At halftime, New York had built a comfortable 77-54 advantage, winning the second quarter 35-24 while shooting an impressive 54.7% from the field, including 11 three-pointers.
Second Half and Key Performances
In the third quarter, Bridges helped propel the Knicks to a 25-point cushion early in the period with his scoring contributions, while Towns and Brunson would again knock down back-to-back threes. Though Memphis mounted a comeback with a series of successful three-pointers towards the end of the quarter, the Knicks maintained a solid lead at 114-93 entering the final frame despite losing the quarter 39-37.
The Grizzlies did not relent, utilizing a late-game surge that brought them within 12 points after Jaylen Wells hit a three-pointer. However, critical turnovers plagued Memphis, leading to easy scoring opportunities for New York. Brunson, who was named the game MVP, finished with 32 points, including shooting 6-of-9 from beyond the arc, alongside 10 assists and 5 rebounds.
The Knicks’ balance in scoring was evident as Towns ended the game with a double-double of 21 points and 13 rebounds, while Bridges followed closely behind with 22 points. Despite the loss, Memphis’s Sandi Aldama impressed by scoring 19 points off the bench.
Upcoming Matchup
The Knicks will now prepare for a back-to-back matchup at home, facing the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m.
