New York Knicks’ Jalen Brunson Drops 45 Points in Win Over Blazers

New York Knicks secured a 105-93 victory against the Portland Trail Blazers as Jalen Brunson dazzled with a 45-point performance in the Thursday night matchup. Brunson’s stellar showing included shooting 14-of-30 from the field and a remarkable 15-of-17 from the free-throw line, notching his 10th regular-season game with 40 or more points. This win marks the Knicks’ third victory in the past four games, boosting their season record to 39-27.

Accompanying Brunson’s impressive display, OG Anunoby contributed 12 points and nine rebounds while Donte DiVincenzo also added 12 points during the game. On the opposing side, Deandre Ayton showcased a strong performance for the Blazers, delivering 31 points and 14 rebounds for his seventh consecutive double-double. Alongside Ayton, Dalano Banton put up 16 points and recorded four steals, while Scoot Henderson contributed 12 points, seven rebounds, and six assists for Portland.

Portland’s absence of key players Anfernee Simons due to a knee injury and Jerami Grant sidelined with a hamstring issue posed challenges for the Trail Blazers. Despite the resilient effort from the home team, the Knicks managed to maintain their defensive intensity, holding their fourth consecutive opponent under 80 points, a feat not achieved since November 2000.

Throughout the game, the Knicks shot 43.7% from the field but struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 6-of-29 three-point attempts. On the other hand, the Trail Blazers shot 40.5% from the field and connected on 11-of-33 three-point shots.

Brunson led New York to a comfortable lead of 14 points at halftime, with the score standing at 55-41 in favor of the Knicks. The team extended their lead to 18 points during the third quarter and eventually closed out the game with a convincing 105-93 victory over the Trail Blazers.