The New York Knicks (12-8) cruised past the injury-riddled New Orleans Pelicans (4-17) in a 118-85 victory on Sunday night at Madison Square Garden. Mikal Bridges led the charge with a season-high 31 points, shooting an efficient 12-for-19 from the field and connecting on seven of his 12 attempts from beyond the arc.
Karl-Anthony Towns controlled the paint with 14 points and 19 rebounds, while Jalen Brunson added 16 points and nine assists for the Knicks. Miles McBride chipped in 13 points off the bench as New York extended its strong run, winning seven of its last 10 games.
The Pelicans, missing several key players including Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and Herbert Jones, struggled offensively. CJ McCollum led New Orleans with 13 points, while Trey Murphy III and Yves Missi contributed 11 points each. The Pelicans shot a paltry 4-for-27 from three-point range and have now lost eight straight games.
New York’s defense set the tone early, holding New Orleans to 28 points in the first half. The Knicks capitalized on the Pelicans’ nine-minute scoring drought in the opening quarter, outscoring them 23-1 during the stretch. New Orleans trailed 33-10 at the end of the first quarter and never recovered.
Towns dominated the boards, grabbing 17 of his 19 rebounds in the first half. His performance helped the Knicks win the rebounding battle decisively, 60-42. Jericho Sims provided additional support with 13 rebounds off the bench, alongside his four points.
New York’s bench proved pivotal, contributing 38 points, including eight from Cameron Payne and Matt Ryan, who each hit two three-pointers. The Knicks finished with 20 three-pointers on 44.4% shooting from deep, underscoring their offensive efficiency.
For New Orleans, missed opportunities and injuries continued to hinder their efforts. The Pelicans shot just 37.2% from the field, and their depleted lineup could not match the Knicks’ depth and firepower.
Despite the absence of Mitchell Robinson and Precious Achiuwa, the Knicks dominated in the paint, showcasing their resilience. Bridges’ standout performance reinforced his importance to the team, particularly as they navigate a competitive Eastern Conference.
