Jalen Brunson delivered a stellar performance with 31 points to lead the New York Knicks (16-10) to a 100-91 victory over the Orlando Magic (17-11) on Sunday night. Karl-Anthony Towns contributed a dominant double-double, finishing with 22 points and 22 rebounds.
The win marked an important bounce-back for the Knicks after their NBA Cup tournament elimination earlier in the week. New York capitalized on strong defensive rebounding, outmatching Orlando 45-39 on the boards and limiting the Magic to 30% shooting from beyond the arc.
Mikal Bridges added 17 points for the Knicks, while Josh Hart contributed all-around support with 12 points, five rebounds, and five assists.
The Knicks surged ahead in the fourth quarter, creating a 16-point cushion with timely scoring and disciplined ball control, committing only six second-half turnovers after a shaky start.
For Orlando, Moritz Wagner had a career night, scoring 32 points off the bench, including four 3-pointers. Rookie Tristan da Silva also impressed with a career-high 20 points, while Jalen Suggs posted nine points and eight assists but struggled with his efficiency, shooting 4-for-19. Suggs fouled out late in the game as the Magic’s comeback effort faltered.
New York’s defense proved to be the difference-maker, holding Orlando to just nine made 3-pointers and stifling their offensive flow in critical moments. The Magic, missing key scorers Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, suffered their first home loss of the season after 10 straight victories in Orlando.
Despite Wagner’s career-high performance, the Magic couldn’t overcome their shooting struggles or the absence of their top offensive threats. Wendell Carter Jr. and Goga Bitadze combined for just 10 points in the starting lineup, leaving a void in the frontcourt.
The Knicks improved to 9-5 on the road this season with the win and showcased their depth with valuable contributions from their bench. Miles McBride added seven points on two clutch 3-pointers, and Precious Achiuwa chipped in with four points and five rebounds.
