NEW ORLEANS — In a thrilling matchup on Saturday night, Jalen Brunson exploded with a season-high 39 points, 29 of which came during the pivotal second half, leading the New York Knicks to a 104-93 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Brunson faced tough defense from All-NBA player Herb Jones in the first half, which contributed to the Knicks’ struggles, resulting in a 35.6% shooting performance. At halftime, the Pelicans held a slight edge with a 49-45 score.
The momentum shifted dramatically in the third quarter when Brunson ignited for 16 points, including an impressive streak of 13 consecutive points. This surge was vital in a 22-6 run that transformed a 65-52 deficit into a 74-71 lead for New York. As the fourth quarter progressed, Brunson continued his dominance, scoring nine of the Knicks’ first 13 points and pushing the advantage to 95-81.
For New Orleans, which has encountered a challenging season with 15 losses in their last 16 games, Trey Murphy III led the scoring with 26 points. Dejounte Murray contributed 14 points to the effort. Meanwhile, the Knicks received additional support from Mikal Bridges, who added 18 points, and OG Anunoby, who scored 16.
Notably, Karl-Anthony Towns struggled during the first half, managing only five points from 1-of-5 shooting before being limited to just 10 minutes of play due to foul trouble. The Pelicans had not enjoyed a double-digit lead in a game since a narrow victory over Phoenix on December 5, and held a commanding lead of 45-32 midway through the second quarter before losing momentum.
The defining moment of the game occurred when the Knicks, down 65-52, unleashed a devastating 43-14 run across a stretch of just under 11 minutes into the third and early fourth quarter, ultimately taking control of the game at 95-81.
In terms of efficiency, Brunson shone brightly, finishing the night shooting 13-of-19 from the field, which included 7-of-10 from beyond the arc, while also going a perfect 6-of-6 from the free-throw line.
Looking ahead, the Knicks are set to face the Toronto Raptors on Monday night, while the Pelicans will host the Denver Nuggets on Sunday.