Karl-Anthony Towns scored 25 points and the New York Knicks stormed back from an 18-point fourth-quarter deficit to stun the Houston Rockets 108-106 on Saturday night.
Jalen Brunson added 20 points, including the go-ahead pull-up jumper in the final minute, while OG Anunoby also scored 20 and Mikal Bridges chipped in 11. The win helped New York rebound from a loss two nights earlier to East-leading Detroit.
Houston, which entered on a five-game winning streak, was paced by Kevin Durant with 30 points. Jabari Smith Jr. added 21, Alperen Şengün had 16, and Amen Thompson finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
The Knicks had led by 13 in the first half before Houston surged ahead and built an 18-point cushion early in the fourth. New York answered with an 8-1 burst to start the period and later used a decisive 14-2 run — aided by eight straight missed shots and two turnovers by the Rockets — to claw back into it. Towns’ layup off the glass cut the deficit to 99-97 with 3:32 remaining.
Brunson tied the game at 103 with 1:26 left. On the ensuing possession, Durant lost the ball near the sideline and then committed an offensive foul when he barreled into Brunson. Brunson capitalized with a pull-up jumper to give New York the lead for good.
Durant had one final chance, but his 40-foot heave at the buzzer fell short as the Knicks completed the dramatic rally.
Up next:
The Rockets host Utah on Monday night, while the Knicks visit Chicago on Sunday.
