Jalen Brunson returned from a two-game absence to score a game-high 28 points, leading the New York Knicks (9-5) to a 113-111 victory over the Dallas Mavericks (4-12) on Wednesday night at American Airlines Center. Landry Shamet hit two crucial 3-pointers in the final 1:02 and drew a charging foul on the last possession to seal the win.
Karl-Anthony Towns posted a double-double with 18 points and 14 rebounds, while Josh Hart added 16 points and 10 boards off the bench. The Knicks snapped a four-game road skid and improved to 1-4 away from Madison Square Garden.
Brunson’s late free throw with 3.8 seconds remaining gave New York a two-point edge after a string of five missed attempts from the line. Dallas inbounded to Brandon Williams, who scored with 0.7 seconds left, but the basket was nullified by Shamet’s defensive charge.
D’Angelo Russell and Naji Marshall each scored 23 points for the Mavericks, who have now lost five of six games. Cooper Flagg, the top pick in this year’s draft, missed his first NBA game with an illness.
New York shot 44% from the field and 29% from three, while Dallas finished at 41% overall and 36% from long range. Despite a season-high 64 points from the Mavericks’ bench, their starters managed only 47 points, limiting their late rally.
The Knicks overcame early shooting struggles, hitting just 3 of 22 three-pointers in the first half, while improving in the second half to secure the close win. The game marked a comeback effort led by Brunson, who has been a key scorer and floor leader for New York this season.
New York will visit Orlando on Saturday, while the Mavericks return home to host New Orleans on Friday.
