Brunson and Anunoby Lead Knicks to Dominant Victory Over Portland
Jan 30, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) controls the ball against Portland Trail Blazers guard Caleb Love (2) during the third quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
The New York Knicks continued their excellent streak with a commanding victory over the Portland Trail Blazers by a score of 127-97. This fifth consecutive win confirms the strong momentum of the New York team, carried by remarkable performances from Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby.
A Devastating Collective Attack for the Knicks
Jalen Brunson once again led the way with 26 points, while OG Anunoby perfectly complemented him with 24 points. Josh Hart also contributed with 20 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists, tying Jalen Johnson of Atlanta at the top of the NBA double-doubles ranking with 31 this season.
Karl-Anthony Towns dominated the paint with a double-double of 14 points and 20 rebounds, illustrating the depth of the Knicks roster. In total, seven New York players finished in double figures, demonstrating a formidable collective attack that hurt the Trail Blazers. French rookie Mohamed Diawara added 10 points.
Portland Struggles Against the Knicks Defense
On the Portland side (23-26), Shaedon Sharpe tried to keep his team afloat with 26 points, helped by Jerami Grant who added 15 points off the bench. However, the Trail Blazers suffered their fourth consecutive loss, particularly due to the difficulties encountered by their rising star Deni Advija.
The Knicks defense perfectly neutralized Advija, who is averaging 25.8 points this season (13th in the NBA rankings). The forward could only score 11 points on 4/14 shooting, also committing 4 turnovers in 28 minutes of play. Alongside him, Sidy Cissoko scored more points (15).
New York (30-18) took control of the game from the first period with a devastating 34-12 run, building a 24-point lead. Although Portland came back to within 10 points at halftime, the Knicks definitively sealed their victory by dominating the second half 68-48. A 14-2 run between the end of the third quarter and the start of the final period allowed the home team to cruise to this convincing victory.
This home performance brings the Knicks record at Madison Square Garden to 19 wins and 6 losses this season, confirming their status as serious contenders in the Eastern Conference.
Comments