In a low-scoring game and not due to the defense, the Knicks ultimately prevail, finishing their five-game road trip with 3 wins and 2 losses, remaining undefeated in the NBA Cup with three wins out of three. The guests scored 44 points in the paint against the Hornets’ 28, thus making up for the 19 turnovers that yielded 31 points for the home team. The Hornets, without LaMelo Ball, sent four players into double figures including Brandon Miller (20 points but with 7/25 shooting and 2/11 from three) but were too disorganized in the final stages against an experienced team like New York.
The best player in the Knicks house was undoubtedly Jalen Brunson, who scored 31 points with 6 rebounds and 6 assists to continually put Charlotte’s defense in crisis. Karl-Anthony Towns signs a double double with 19 points and 12 rebounds, as does Josh Hart (13+12) while Miles McBride from the bench reaches double figures (14 points). The fate of Group A in the Eastern Conference will be decided after the direct clash between Orlando and New York in the last game.