Karl-Anthony Towns delivered a commanding 44-point performance as the New York Knicks (2-2) overcame a 13-point deficit to defeat the Miami Heat (2-2) 116-107 on Wednesday night.
Towns led the Knicks with 24 points in the first half, keeping New York in the game after Miami initially took control with sharp shooting from Tyler Herro.
Herro kept the Heat competitive with 34 points, including eight three-pointers, while Terry Rozier added 16 points, and Jimmy Butler contributed 15 points and four assists.
New York found momentum late in the third quarter, mounting a 30-10 run to transform a 70-57 deficit into an 87-80 lead heading into the final period.
Towns’ efficiency, going 17-for-25 from the field and 4-for-5 from beyond the arc, was instrumental as he secured a double-double with 13 rebounds.
Jalen Brunson added support for the Knicks, scoring 18 of his 22 points in the second half while also dishing out nine assists to propel New York’s comeback effort.
Mikal Bridges also chipped in with 17 points, and Josh Hart recorded a double-double with 10 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists to further strengthen the Knicks’ offense.
The Heat, struggling with offensive consistency, were once again without veteran forward Kevin Love, who missed his fourth game of the season due to personal reasons.
Miami’s first-quarter scoring struggles continued, with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo combining for just 2-for-13 shooting in the opening period, echoing their season-long difficulties.
Adebayo finished with 11 points and three rebounds but faced challenges against New York’s defensive pressure, limiting his contributions as Miami’s leading interior scorer.
The Knicks’ fourth-quarter defense played a key role in the victory, holding Miami to just 27% shooting in the third quarter and keeping the Heat from closing the gap in the final minutes.
