Karl-Anthony Towns delivered a dominant performance with 23 points and 15 rebounds, while Jalen Brunson added 21 points, leading the New York Knicks to a decisive 121-106 win over the Orlando Magic on Tuesday night.
The victory secured the Knicks’ spot in the NBA Cup quarterfinals as they finished East Group A play undefeated at 4-0.
The Knicks will host Atlanta on December 11 in the next round, while Orlando advanced as the East wild card despite the loss and will head to Milwaukee.
Knicks in Command Early
New York set the tone early, jumping out to a 36-26 lead at the end of the first quarter. Their advantage ballooned to 22 points in the second, and they carried a commanding 71-51 lead into halftime. Mikal Bridges contributed 19 points, while Josh Hart recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. The Knicks’ balanced attack saw all five starters score in double figures, a testament to their depth and cohesion.
Deuce McBride added a spark off the bench with 18 points, while the team’s defense stifled the Magic’s normally efficient offense for most of the night.
Magic’s Late Surge Falls Short
Orlando, led by Franz Wagner’s stellar 30-point performance and Moritz Wagner’s 20 points off the bench, struggled to find their rhythm until the fourth quarter. Trailing by 31 points heading into the final period, the Magic mounted a late rally, outscoring the Knicks 31-15. However, the deficit was too large to overcome, snapping their six-game winning streak.
The Magic entered the game needing to avoid a loss by more than 37 points to advance via tiebreaker, a margin they comfortably maintained despite their struggles through three quarters.
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Takeaways
Knicks: New York has hit its stride, winning three straight games and eight of their last ten. With their starters firing on all cylinders and contributions from the bench, the team is poised for a deep run in the NBA Cup. Towns’ inside presence and Brunson’s backcourt leadership were key to maintaining control throughout the game.
Magic: Despite the loss, Orlando’s 3-1 record in East Group A earned them a wild card spot. The Magic showed resilience, particularly in the fourth quarter, and continue to establish themselves as a competitive force in the East. Franz Wagner’s scoring burst and Moritz Wagner’s bench production were bright spots.
Key Moment
The Knicks dominated the third quarter, extending their lead to a game-high 31 points. This stretch effectively sealed the win and put the Magic on the brink of elimination before their late fourth-quarter surge.
Key Stat
New York’s starting lineup delivered a balanced offensive output, with all five starters scoring in double figures. Meanwhile, Orlando extended its streak of consecutive games with at least one three-pointer to 1,398 — the fifth-longest in NBA history.
Looking Ahead
The Knicks are set to host Atlanta on December 11 in the NBA Cup quarterfinals, aiming to carry their momentum forward. The Magic will travel to Milwaukee for their next matchup, where they’ll face a Bucks team that has been red-hot in tournament play.
For New York, the combination of Towns’ dominance, Brunson’s leadership, and contributions from the supporting cast bodes well as they eye their first NBA Cup title. Meanwhile, the Magic will look to regroup and build on the positives from their tournament performance.
