NEW YORK — OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges each scored 28 points, propelling the New York Knicks to a comprehensive 110-93 victory against the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night. The game saw a dominant second-half performance by the Knicks, turning a halftime deficit into a commanding win.
Bridges shined in the latter half, putting up 21 points as the Knicks surged ahead, outscoring the Blazers 60-35 following the break. Precision was key, with New York converting 27 of their 42 shot attempts (64%) in the final 24 minutes, overcoming an eight-point deficit from halftime, where they trailed 58-50.
Josh Hart contributed a versatile performance with 14 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds. Despite a challenging shooting night, Karl-Anthony Towns added 10 points and pulled down 11 rebounds, reflecting his resilience on the court.
For the Trail Blazers, Deni Avdija scored an impressive 33 points while Shaedon Sharpe added 23. However, their strong showing in the second quarter, where they outscored the Knicks 33-23, was not sustained throughout the game. Portland struggled after halftime, managing only 14 baskets in the entire second half.
Key Takeaways
For the Trail Blazers, Avdija delivered yet another outstanding game, marking his fifth instance of scoring at least 30 points in the month. This performance is part of a remarkable year for Avdija, where all his 30-plus point games have occurred during the current season.
On the Knicks’ side, Anunoby has emerged as a pivotal scorer in the absence of Jalen Brunson, who is sidelined due to a sprained right ankle since March 6. Brunson mentioned on Sunday that he is recovering well and aims to return before the season concludes. Meanwhile, Anunoby has been averaging 30.5 points over his last four games.
Pivotal Moment
A significant moment came when Anunoby executed a powerful dunk with one minute remaining in the third quarter. This play capped a 9-2 run, securing the Knicks a 79-78 lead at the end of the period, their first since late in the second quarter.
Crucial Statistic
Portland’s Anfernee Simons endured a tough night, shooting just 5 for 20 from the field.
Looking Ahead
Next up, the New York Knicks will host Philadelphia on Tuesday. On the same night, the Portland Trail Blazers are set to visit Atlanta for their upcoming matchup.