12/29/25 09:57:00
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12/29 21:55 CST Brunson's double-double helps the Knicks outlast Zion
Williamson and the Pelicans, 130-125
Brunson's double-double helps the Knicks outlast Zion Williamson and the
Pelicans, 130-125
By BRETT MARTEL
AP Sports Writer
NEW ORLEANS (AP) --- Jalen Brunson capped a 28-point, 10-assist performance
with a driving floater and a layup in the final 1:06, and the New York Knicks
surged in front late to beat the New Orleans Pelicans 130-125 on Monday night.
OG Anunoby had 23 points and 11 rebounds, Mohamed Diawara scored a career-high
18 points, and Karl-Anthony Towns had 12 points and 12 rebounds for the Knicks,
who've won three straight.
Zion Williamson scored a season-high 32 points for the Pelicans, who lost their
fourth straight. Saddiq Bey and Jordan Poole each scored 26 for New Orleans and
Trey Murphy III added 21 points.
Neither team led by more than 10 in a game characterized by a lot of scoring in
the first half before defensive play intensified in the second.
The Pelicans led 75-72 at halftime, when both teams were shooting 50% or
better. With 3:36 left in the game, the score was tied at 117 after Poole and
Brunson had exchanged 3s.
Brunson rebounded his own missed 3 and hit a running floater just inside the
baseline to give New York a 124-121 lead with 1:06 to go.
After Williamson's free throws, Brunson responded with a driving layup and
Deuce McBride, who had 14 points, hit four free throws in the final 16 seconds
to ensure the Knicks held on.
Diawara, who'd never previously scored more than five points in a game, had 13
by the end of the first quarter of what was just the Frenchman's third career
start.
Bey scored 23 points in the first quarter.
Pelicans guard and native New Yorker Jose Alvarado was unavailable to play
because of a two-game suspension stemming from his fight on Saturday night with
Phoenix's Mark Williams.
Up next
Knicks: Visit the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night.
Pelicans: Visit the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
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