Jalen Brunson scored 30 points and dished out nine assists, while Josh Hart added a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds, leading the New York Knicks to a 106-100 victory over the Orlando Magic on Sunday.
New York improved to 16-7 overall and 13-1 at home, snapping a three-game losing streak to Orlando, even without star center Karl-Anthony Towns, who sat out with left calf tightness. OG Anunoby contributed 21 points and seven rebounds, and Mikal Bridges chipped in 12 points, seven boards, and six assists as the Knicks overcame a Magic team missing their top scorer.
The Magic (14-10) were hit hard early when Franz Wagner, averaging 23.4 points per game, exited in the first quarter with a lower left leg injury after landing awkwardly following a dunk attempt. Wagner scored seven points in seven minutes before leaving the court and will be re-evaluated in Orlando ahead of Tuesday’s NBA Cup quarterfinal against Miami. Despite Wagner’s exit, Desmond Bane led Orlando with 16 points and six rebounds, and Anthony Black added a double-double of 14 points and 11 boards.
The game was tightly contested through the first half, with Orlando holding a one-point lead at halftime. The Knicks then surged in the third quarter with a 13-0 run to seize control. Brunson scored six of his 10 third-quarter points during the run, helping New York outscore Orlando 28-18 in the period.
The Knicks extended their lead early in the fourth quarter with a 7-0 spurt, building a 16-point advantage at 89-73. The Magic tried to rally, but a technical foul on Bane for an altercation with Anunoby stalled their momentum.
The Knicks now head to Toronto for their NBA Cup quarterfinal matchup on Tuesday, while the Magic return home to face Miami in the same round.
