MIAMI — Jalen Brunson shone brightly for the New York Knicks, contributing a game-high 31 points to help his team overturn a daunting 19-point deficit, ultimately securing a hard-fought 116-112 victory over the Miami Heat in overtime on Sunday night. This triumph marked the Knicks’ third consecutive win.
Alongside Brunson, OG Anunoby chipped in with 23 points, while Karl Anthony Towns delivered a solid performance with 19 points and a commanding 16 rebounds. Brunson’s vital 3-pointer with 2:27 left in overtime gave the Knicks a 111-110 lead, initiating a decisive 7-0 run.
The Miami Heat made a valiant effort to close the gap, narrowing the score to 114-112 following a 3-pointer by Alec Burks with just 27 seconds remaining. However, Anunoby’s emphatic dunk with 17 seconds on the clock dashed Miami’s hopes of a comeback.
Bam Adebayo led the Miami charge with 30 points, with Tyler Herro adding 22 points to the tally. Rookie sensation Kel’el Ware was also a standout, contributing 12 points and showcasing his defensive prowess with a career-high six blocks.
Evaluating the game, the Knicks had to battle back from trailing by 17 points at halftime and faced the same challenge midway through the third quarter. They mounted a comeback with a 17-5 spurt to close the quarter. In the fourth, New York erased an 11-point disadvantage and seized their first lead at 101-100 when Miles McBride scored with 2:58 left on the clock.
The Heat’s lineup was compromised, as Andrew Wiggins missed his second consecutive game due to a sprained right ankle, while Jaime Jaquez Jr., who had previously replaced Wiggins, was also sidelined with an ankle issue.
A pivotal juncture in the match occurred when the Knicks, trailing by four in the final minute of the fourth quarter, managed to tie the game with key plays, including an Anunoby tip-in and a jumper by Brunson, forcing the game into overtime.
Statistically, the Knicks overcame a significant halftime deficit in points in the paint, ultimately edging out the Heat 58-56 by the end of overtime.
Looking ahead, the New York Knicks are set to host the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night, while the Miami Heat will face the Washington Wizards on Monday night.
