Being down their top two point guards was not enough to deter the Knicks against the hapless Jazz.
Veteran reserve Cam Payne made his first start of the season for the Knicks with Brunson missing his first game due to right calf tightness.
Josh Hart recorded his second consecutive triple-double and fourth of the season with 15 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists as the Knicks improved to 24-10 overall.
And when their time is called, everybody is ready,” Payne said.
“It’s why it’s a team, and it’s why you work together.
The Knicks were unable to stop the unfortunate Jazz despite losing their top two point guards.
The Knicks picked up where they left off in December of 2025 with a 119-103 victory at the Garden, cruising to their ninth straight victory despite the absence of All-Star Jalen Brunson and sixth man Miles McBride due to injuries.
Brunson missed his first game of the season because of tightness in his right calf, so veteran reserve Cam Payne started for the Knicks for the first time. In addition, McBride was a late scratch due to a hamstring injury sustained during pregame warm-ups.
With 15 points, 14 rebounds, and 12 assists, Josh Hart recorded his second straight triple-double and his fourth of the season, helping the Knicks move up to 24-10 overall.
“We are very deep. Hart remarked following the game, “We have guys who can score the ball.”. It merely illustrates how things have changed from the previous year.
“With Brunson out last year, I don’t know how that would have gone. However, we still have the depth of KAT, ‘Kal, and OG without him, and they are all excellent ball-scorers. “”.
OG Anunony scored 22 points with three steals, Mikal Bridges scored 27, Karl-Anthony Towns had a team-high 31 points and 21 rebounds, and he shut down All-Star Lauri Markkanen (6-for-22) in the game.
Additionally, Payne finished with a season-high 35 minutes, eight points, nine assists, and three steals for the Knicks, who will play the West-leading Thunder in Oklahoma City on Friday night in a more difficult test.
Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson each scored 25 points for the Jazz, who have now lost five straight games to drop to 7-25.
All of them simply remain prepared. Everyone is constantly improving, and I think we have a pretty good bench. Payne added, “And everyone is prepared when their time is called.”. “I have one quality: I’m always prepared. That helps me, I believe.
“I’m already leaving when something like that occurs. Despite the shock, I was prepared to leave. Simply put, I’m happy that we won. “.”.
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In order to accelerate the turnaround, Anunoby stole a basket from Jordan Clarkson and walked in for a two-handed slam after the Knicks gave Utah a 10-point lead early on. Before Payne’s steal resulted in a Bridges layup in transition, he drove for another inside basket, cutting the Knicks’ deficit to just 25–24 after one quarter.
In the first half, Payne recorded three of the Knicks’ seven swipes, demonstrating the team’s significant defensive improvement that led to a 12-2 run in December.
“I firmly believe that defense wins games and championships. Payne remarked, “I thought we accomplished that tonight.”. That was our only option. We need to figure out a way to win games now that we have [two] players out, and I think we did that tonight by playing defense. “”.
Precious Achiuwa opened the second with a driving layup after Bridges had rejected Clarkson, and the Knicks led by three points after a left-handed dunk.
The Knicks led 56-46 going into halftime after another three-pointer from Payne and two more from Towns helped increase the lead to 13 with less than three minutes left.
Midway through the third, Markkanen’s put-back slam and a steal and layup from Sexton reduced Utah’s deficit to five points. However, Anunoby finished numerous times at the rim and made a crucial 3-pointer, giving the Knicks an 87-79 lead going into the final 12 minutes.
Then, the Knicks doubled their lead to 16 after a 10–2 run in the fourth quarter, which included five points from Hart for his second consecutive triple-double.
It’s just a well-earned victory. Just figure out how to win. Tom Thibodeau stated, “That’s what the season is about—the next guy gets in there and gets the job done.”. This explains why you collaborate and why it’s a team. Everyone must sacrifice and put the team first.
Whether it’s an illness, injury, or foul trouble, you need everyone throughout the season. When you’re called upon, be prepared. “.”.
