The New York Knicks defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 123-114 on Sunday, ending Portland's five-game winning streak. Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 26 points in the victory. Deni Avdija scored 25 points for the Blazers before exiting with a back injury.
In Portland, Oregon, the New York Knicks overcame a resilient Portland Trail Blazers team to secure a 123-114 win, halting the Blazers' impressive five-game winning streak. The game, played at the Moda Center, saw the Knicks improve after losing five of their previous six contests.
Jalen Brunson topped the Knicks' scoring with 26 points, while OG Anunoby contributed 24 points. Karl-Anthony Towns added 20 points and 11 rebounds, and Mikal Bridges recorded 18 points, six assists, and six rebounds. Notably, starting forward Josh Hart returned from an ankle injury sustained on Christmas Day, playing 14 minutes in the first half for 12 points and finishing with 18 overall.
For the Trail Blazers, Deni Avdija led with 25 points, showcasing his two-way impact with a block and transition play. However, in the final moments, Avdija grabbed his back after a rebound attempt and headed to the locker room; the extent of the injury remains unknown. Guard Jrue Holiday also returned from a mid-November calf injury, averaging 16.7 points and 8.3 assists prior, but managed only eight points in 16 minutes.
The first half remained close, with the Knicks pulling ahead to a 60-54 halftime lead on a basket by Towns. New York extended the advantage to 10 points in the third quarter, but Portland tied it at 92 early in the fourth on a dunk by Robert Williams III. The Blazers briefly led on Avdija's floater and free throw, but Miles McBride's pull-up 3-pointer gave the Knicks a 109-104 edge with 3:47 left. Brunson's 3-pointer then stretched the lead to 117-107 with 2:23 remaining, sealing the victory as Portland could not close the gap.
The Knicks next face Sacramento on Wednesday, while the Trail Blazers travel to Golden State on Tuesday.
