Knicks Top Hornets 119-104 as Brown Names Hukporti Defensive Player of the Game
The recognition highlighted New York's focus on shot deterrence over box-score totals.
Overview
- Karl-Anthony Towns powered New York with 35 points and 18 rebounds, marking his 16th double-double of the season.
- Reserve center Ariel Hukporti fouled out in roughly 13 minutes yet recorded two blocks and a +6 plus-minus.
- Mike Brown cited Hukporti's verticality, 50-50 balls, and paint deterrence in awarding the team's Defensive Player of the Game.
- New York set the tone by holding Charlotte to 12 first-quarter points, weathered a second-quarter run, and pulled away after halftime.
- LaMelo Ball posted 34 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds for Charlotte as the Knicks logged their fourth straight home win and continue the homestand Friday against the Jazz.