Overview
- Jalen Brunson hit the go-ahead jumper with about 29–30 seconds left and New York completed a 33-15 fourth quarter, while Kevin Durant missed a last-second heave.
- Karl-Anthony Towns scored a team-high 25 and, per Brown, challenged teammates to start the final period with a stop, helping set the tone for the rally.
- Trade-deadline addition Jose Alvarado logged five steals, three in the fourth, as the Knicks forced nine turnovers in the final quarter and converted Houston’s 20 giveaways into 30 points overall.
- Durant finished with 30 points but went 2-for-7 in the fourth as Houston’s offense stalled with turnovers and cold shooting, a late-game pattern Rockets coach Ime Udoka acknowledged.
- New York improved to 36-21 two nights after a loss to Detroit, with Brown noting a simplified offense featuring Brunson then Towns, as outside voices such as Charles Barkley continued to critique Towns’ game.