Jalen Brunson posted 32 points and 10 assists as the New York Knicks (7-3) defeated the Memphis Grizzlies (4-8) 133-120 at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night. Karl-Anthony Towns added 21 points and 13 rebounds, helping New York extend its five-game winning streak.
Mikal Bridges contributed 22 points, while OG Anunoby scored 16 and Jordan Clarkson added 13 off the bench.
New York opened the game with a 12-0 run, turning a 30-all tie into a 42-30 lead on a Brunson basket with 0.5 seconds left in the first quarter. A 7-0 spurt early in the second extended the advantage to 49-30 on a Deuce McBride three-pointer.
Memphis cut the lead to 11 midway through the second, but Clarkson scored 10 points in the period to push New York’s halftime lead to 77-54. The Knicks have scored at least 77 points in a half in three straight games.
Jaren Jackson Jr. and Santi Aldama each scored 19 points for Memphis. Ja Morant added 16 points and 10 assists but struggled from the field, shooting 4 of 14. The Grizzlies lost for the sixth time in seven games.
The Knicks maintained control in the second half, despite Memphis trimming a 28-point deficit to 10 in the fourth quarter. Brunson’s leadership and scoring ensured the victory. Starting center Mitchell Robinson rested in the back-to-back schedule.
New York will host the Orlando Magic on Wednesday, while Memphis travels to Boston to continue its road stretch.
