Jalen Brunson showcased his skills with a performance of 26 points and nine assists, while Josh Hart contributed significantly by scoring 23 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. The New York Knicks continued their impressive streak, securing their sixth consecutive victory with a convincing 108-85 triumph over the Orlando Magic on Friday night.
Karl-Anthony Towns also played a notable role for the Knicks, registering 16 points along with eight rebounds as the team pulled ahead decisively in the latter half of the game. Mikal Bridges, who recently had a standout game scoring 41 points against San Antonio, added 17 points to the team’s total.
For Orlando, Jalen Suggs faced restrictions in playtime, limited to 26 minutes due to foul issues but still managed to score 27 points. Goga Bitadze supported with 14 points and 10 rebounds. The loss marked the Magic’s second consecutive defeat, and they have now lost five out of their last seven contests.
In terms of key takeaways, the Knicks not only celebrated their sixth straight win overall but also their sixth consecutive road victory, including two wins in Orlando. Their success was largely attributed to a strong defensive strategy and a significant rebounding advantage, 44-32.
On the other hand, the Magic attempted to adjust their line-up in response to injuries suffered by key players Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, moving Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to a forward position and bringing Wendell Carter Jr. off the bench. Unfortunately for them, they struggled offensively, shooting just 36.8% and suffered their fourth loss in six home games after an impressive start where they won the first ten.
A pivotal moment transpired with 6:23 remaining in the third quarter when Suggs fouled Brunson during a driving attempt. Brunson completed the ensuing three-point play to tie the game at 63. This foul ultimately sidelined Suggs, who exited the game with five fouls. By the time he returned to play in the fourth quarter, the Knicks had extended their advantage to 87-70.
Statistically, the Knicks faced some challenges from beyond the arc, making only 4 out of 15 three-point attempts. However, they compensated with a strong 54% shooting performance overall and a successful outing at the foul line, converting 24 of 34 attempts. Orlando had a solid night at the free-throw line as well, making 11 out of 12 attempts.
Looking forward, the Knicks are scheduled to compete against Washington on Saturday, while the Magic will host the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday.
