The New York Knicks closed their preseason schedule with a 122-120 win over the Toronto Raptors at Madison Square Garden on Thursday, October 15. Tyler Kolek hit a go-ahead three-pointer with 53.2 seconds remaining, helping New York hold on for a two-point victory.
Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 20 points and seven assists, while Karl-Anthony Towns recorded 13 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists. Mikal Bridges added 14 points, and Andre Drummond contributed 14 points and eight rebounds off the bench.
Toronto had five players score at least 12 points. Scottie Barnes finished with 23 points, eight rebounds and four assists, while RJ Barrett added 21 points and eight rebounds against his former team. Immanuel Quickley recorded 18 points and seven assists, and Collin Murray-Boyles scored 12 points with five rebounds.
The Knicks led 35-32 after the first quarter and extended their advantage to 63-58 at halftime. New York maintained a narrow edge through the third period, entering the final quarter ahead 87-79.
Toronto mounted a late comeback, with Quickley, Barnes and Barrett helping the Raptors erase the deficit. Jaden Bradley tied the game at 117-117 with a free throw with 1:03 left, setting up a tense finish.
Kolek responded with a three-pointer from 28 feet with 53.2 seconds remaining to put New York ahead 120-117. Tyler Nickel then converted two free throws with 16.8 seconds left to give the Knicks a five-point cushion.
Malachi Smith made a three-pointer with 11.3 seconds remaining to cut Toronto’s deficit to two, but the Raptors could not complete the comeback.
Kolek finished with nine points, including three three-pointers, and three assists in 13 minutes. Landry Shamet also scored 13 points for New York, while Jose Alvarado added nine points and three assists.
Toronto shot 51% from the field and made 13 of 35 three-point attempts. New York finished at 48% overall and converted 15 of 42 shots from beyond the arc. The Knicks also held a 43-39 rebounding advantage and recorded 35 assists.
