Jalen Brunson’s 31 Points Lead Knicks to Narrow 99-98 Victory Over Hornets in NBA Cup Play

Jalen Brunson delivered a clutch performance on Friday night, scoring 31 points and sinking two critical free throws with just 8.6 seconds left to help the New York Knicks secure a 99-98 win over the shorthanded Charlotte Hornets. The victory marked the Knicks’ third consecutive win in NBA Cup play, keeping their hopes alive in Group A.

The Knicks entered the game needing a blowout win to improve their point differential, which trailed the Orlando Magic by 23 points. With the Magic at 2-0 in group play and facing Brooklyn later that night, New York knew they had to come out strong. However, their performance early in the game was far from ideal.

In a sluggish start, the Knicks committed eight turnovers in the first quarter and struggled offensively, scoring only 15 points in the opening period. Despite this, they managed to narrow the gap in the second half. The team came alive in the final minutes, with Brunson playing a crucial role, hitting a mid-range jumper with 4:50 left to put the Knicks ahead for good.

While Brunson’s performance was key, Karl-Anthony Towns also contributed significantly, adding 19 points and 12 rebounds. His presence in the paint helped stabilize the Knicks as they fought for control of the game.

For the Hornets, the absence of three key starters—LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges, and Mark Williams—took a toll on their offense. Ball, who had been on a hot streak, averaging 40.3 points per game over his last four outings, was sidelined with left calf soreness. Head coach Charles Lee confirmed that Ball had felt discomfort in Wednesday’s loss to the Miami Heat but offered no timeline for his return. Despite the missing pieces, Charlotte kept the game close, with Brandon Miller leading the charge, scoring 20 points, and Josh Green adding 15 points. However, Miller had a tough night shooting, finishing just 7-of-25 from the field and 2-of-11 from three-point range.

The Hornets were poised for a late-game victory after Green hit a jumper to give them a one-point lead, only for Brunson’s clutch free throws to give the Knicks the edge in the final seconds. Charlotte had one last chance, but the Knicks defense held firm, and New York held on for the narrow win.

Takeaways:

• Knicks’ Sloppy First Half: New York’s first-half performance was marked by turnovers and missed opportunities, leaving them behind in a game they needed to win decisively. However, they managed to turn it around in the second half, with Brunson and Towns leading the way.
• Hornets’ Injuries Hurt: Charlotte’s injury-depleted lineup, without their top scorer LaMelo Ball and several key reserves, struggled offensively. Despite a valiant effort, the Hornets fell short in the closing minutes.

Key Moment:
Brunson’s mid-range jumper with 4:50 left in the game was the turning point, putting the Knicks ahead for good and setting the stage for his clutch free throws to seal the victory.

Key Stat:
Brandon Miller’s shooting struggles were a major factor in the Hornets’ loss. He finished 7-of-25 from the field and just 2-of-11 from beyond the arc, which hurt Charlotte’s chances down the stretch.

Up Next:
The Knicks will host the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday, while the Hornets will face the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday night, looking to bounce back from this tough defeat.

With the win, the Knicks improve to 3-0 in NBA Cup play and remain in the hunt for a top spot in Group A.