NEW YORK: The New York Knicks delivered a statement win on Wednesday night, routing the Brooklyn Nets 120-66 to snap a four-game losing streak and record the largest margin of victory in franchise history.
Jalen Brunson led the charge with 20 points, while Landry Shamet was perfect from beyond the arc, hitting all six of his 3-pointers on his way to 18 points. The Knicks dominated from start to finish, building a lead of 54 points and surpassing their previous largest victory margin of 48 points.
The win also extended New York’s dominance over their local rivals, marking the 13th consecutive victory against Brooklyn. The Knicks set the tone early with a 14-0 run to open the first quarter and closed it with another 14-3 spurt, taking a 38-20 lead into the second quarter.
By halftime, they were comfortably ahead 60-38, eventually outscoring the Nets 60-28 in the second half.
Brooklyn’s struggles continued, as Michael Porter Jr. managed only 12 points on 4-of-14 shooting, despite being the team’s leading scorer. The Nets have now lost eight of nine games this season, highlighting the contrast between the two teams.
The Knicks’ dominance over the Nets has been especially pronounced since Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving departed Brooklyn in early 2023. While the Nets once won nine straight meetings with their superstars, New York has not looked back, including this season as they pursue NBA Finals aspirations.
Gilgeous-Alexander Scores 40 as Thunder Roll Past Bucks 122-102
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander exploded for 40 points, 11 assists, and seven rebounds as the injury-riddled Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 122-102 on Wednesday night, winning for the seventh time in eight games.
The Thunder overcame multiple absences, including Jalen Williams, Isaiah Hartenstein, Alex Caruso, Aaron Wiggins, and Jaylin Williams, relying on Gilgeous-Alexander’s dominant performance. He shot 16 of 19 from the floor, joining Immanuel Quickley in an exclusive two-day streak of 40-point, 10-assist games on 80% shooting or better—an NBA rarity.
Oklahoma City’s Ajay Mitchell and Kenrich Williams contributed 18 points each, with the Thunder shooting 54.4% from the field. Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo added 19 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists, while Cole Anthony scored 17 off the bench and Bobby Portis posted 15 points with a career-high nine assists.
The Thunder jumped to a 38-18 lead after the first quarter and never trailed, capitalizing on eight of Milwaukee’s 16 first-quarter turnovers. Oklahoma City’s dominance never wavered, leading by as many as 25 and closing a four-game road trip with a 3-1 record.
Pistons Cruise to Fourth Straight Win, 112-104 Over Pelicans
Jalen Duran scored 20 points and grabbed 15 rebounds as the Detroit Pistons never trailed en route to a 112-104 victory over the struggling New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night, marking their fourth consecutive win.
Daniss Jenkins added 17 points, while Duncan Robinson chipped in 15 points on 4-of-9 shooting from three-point range for the Eastern Conference-leading Pistons, who have won seven of their last eight games.
New Orleans was led by Saddiq Bey, who scored 20 points. Zion Williamson, listed as questionable due to illness, left the game early in the third quarter with 4 points and 4 rebounds and did not return.
Trey Murphy III shot just 6-of-19 from the floor, ending his streak of eight straight games with 20 or more points. Micah Peavy contributed 17 points along with seven rebounds and four steals.
Duran’s dunk just 16 seconds into the game set the tone as the Pistons built a lead as large as 13 points. The Pelicans briefly cut the deficit to five points at 101-96 late in the fourth, but Detroit closed out the game comfortably.
The Pistons will host the Houston Rockets on Friday, while the Pelicans travel to face the Memphis Grizzlies.
Source: NBA
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