Jalen Brunson scored 34 points and dished out seven assists as the New York Knicks rallied late to defeat the Philadelphia 76ers 110-105 on Wednesday night.
Mikal Bridges added 28 points, while OG Anunoby contributed 16 points and nine rebounds as the Knicks improved to 38-20, maintaining their hold on third place in the Eastern Conference.
Josh Hart grabbed a game-high 17 rebounds to go along with seven points and four assists, helping New York secure its fourth win in six games and 11th in the last 15.
Philadelphia, now on a nine-game losing streak, was led by Tyrese Maxey’s 30 points despite his struggles from deep, missing all 10 of his three-point attempts.
Paul George posted 25 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, while Kelly Oubre Jr. scored 27 points on an efficient 9-of-14 shooting night for the 12th-place Sixers.
New York controlled the first half, holding Philadelphia to just 45 points while taking a 16-point lead into the break.
Bridges set the tone early with 19 first-quarter points, nearly matching the 76ers’ entire output in the period.
The Knicks stretched their advantage to 14 late in the third, but the 76ers stormed back behind Maxey, taking a 102-98 lead with under four minutes remaining.
Brunson responded with a personal 9-0 run, including a go-ahead three-pointer with 1:28 left that rolled around the rim before dropping in.
Philadelphia had chances late but failed to capitalize, sealing its latest defeat in a season marred by injuries, including the continued absence of Joel Embiid.
New York, playing without Karl-Anthony Towns, leaned on Bridges early and Brunson late to withstand the Sixers’ rally and close out the game.
The Knicks shot 51.9% from the field and outscored Philadelphia 27-31 in the final quarter to secure the win.
Maxey’s 17 points in the last 15 minutes kept the 76ers in the fight, but his inefficiency from the floor, especially from three-point range, proved costly.
New York’s balanced attack and clutch execution in the final minutes allowed them to snap the Sixers’ late surge and maintain their stronghold in the East standings.
