The New York Knicks secured a dominant 121-106 victory over the Orlando Magic on Tuesday, advancing to the NBA Cup quarterfinals. New York (13-8) topped East Group A with a perfect 4-0 record and will host Atlanta on December 11. Orlando (15-8) finished second in the group but still earned a spot as the East wild card.
Karl-Anthony Towns led the Knicks with a double-double of 23 points and 15 rebounds. Jalen Brunson added 21 points, continuing his strong play. The Knicks have now won three straight games and eight of their last 10.
Mikal Bridges chipped in with 19 points, while Josh Hart added a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. OG Anunoby also contributed 16 points to the well-rounded performance. All five of New York’s starters scored in double figures, showcasing their depth and balance.
For Orlando, Franz Wagner was the standout, scoring 30 points in a losing effort. Moritz Wagner came off the bench to add 20 points. Despite their best efforts, the Magic had their six-game winning streak snapped.
The Knicks quickly gained control, leading 36-26 at the end of the first quarter. They pushed the advantage to 71-51 by halftime, thanks to efficient shooting and strong defense. New York shot 50.6% from the field and 42.9% from three, while keeping Orlando to just 43.7% shooting overall.
Orlando’s hopes of a comeback were dashed in the third quarter when New York extended their lead to 31 points. Despite a strong 31-point fourth quarter from the Magic, it wasn’t enough to close the gap.
The Knicks’ defense stifled Orlando’s shooters, especially limiting their three-point opportunities. The Magic finished the game with a 23.1% shooting mark from beyond the arc.
While Orlando’s offense struggled, their defense was equally porous, allowing New York to shoot an impressive 50.6% from the field. Despite outscoring the Knicks 31-15 in the fourth quarter, the deficit was too large for the Magic to overcome.
The victory assures the Knicks a spot in the NBA Cup quarterfinals, where they will face Atlanta in a highly anticipated matchup on December 11. Meanwhile, Orlando will shift their focus to their next challenge, traveling to Milwaukee for their own quarterfinal appearance.
