Overview
- Jalen Brunson finished with 28 points and 10 assists, hitting a floater and a layup in the final 1:06 to secure the lead.
- OG Anunoby posted 23 points and 11 rebounds as New York tightened its defense after halftime; Karl-Anthony Towns added 12 points and 12 boards.
- Rookie Mohamed Diawara, starting in place of Josh Hart, scored a career-high 18 on 7-of-9 shooting, including 4-of-4 from three.
- Miles McBride returned from an ankle sprain to score 14, grabbed a key late rebound, and sank four free throws in the last 16 seconds.
- New York improved to 23-9 while New Orleans fell to 8-25 as Zion Williamson scored 32; the Pelicans were without Jose Alvarado (two-game suspension), and a late horn/replay delay drew coach Mike Brown’s criticism.