Jalen Brunson Burst Leads Knicks Comeback Over Pelicans

A thrust in the third from Jalen Brunson served as the spark to a New York Knicks comeback against the New Orleans Pelicans.

Dec 21, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) dribbles the ball against New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones (2) during the first half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images / Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Denied singles at the foul line, Jalen Brunson went for triples that served as the spark to a New York Knicks comeback.

Thanks to Brunson's prowess from deep, the Knicks completed a clean sweep of a three-game road trip with a 104-93 comeback victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night at Smoothie King Center. Brunson's latest mastery proved historic: with a season-best 39 points, Brunson earned his 62nd Knick game with at least 30, breaking a tie with Walt "Clyde" Frazier for eighth-most in franchise history.

New York's 13th win over its last 17 games did not come easy despite the relatively one-sided nature of the final score: the depleted Pelicans led by 14 with just over five minutes remaining in the third quarter but that gave way to a Brunson breakout, featuring 29 points in the second half alone, rendering a first 24 where they scored only 45 as a team long forgotten. The comeback win from 14 points down is also the largest earned so far this season.

Dec 21, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) reacts after making a three point basket against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images / Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Though not as depleted as they were when they faced the Knicks at Madison Square Garden earlier this month (a game that saw New York lead by as much as 41), the Pelicans were still missing franchise faces Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram. That didn't stop them from establishing an early lead, one enforced via physical defense (which forced the Knicks into shooting 6-of-25 in the second period) and foul trouble for Karl-Anthony Towns, who was charged with three by the halftime horn.

The hosting Pelicans' lead reached its peak with just about eight minutes left in the third when Trey Murphy turned a Towns turnover in an electrifying dunk and a 62-48 lead. From there, however, Brunson and friends went to work.

The Knicks had the lead by the two-minute mark of the third and closed the frame on a 30-13 run. Between points and assists, Brunson had a direct role in 18 of the tallies and his triple with 2:08 remaining gave the Knicks a permanent lead. Ice cold from deep in the first half (6-of-21) the Knicks were 6-of-7 in the third alone.

Leading by three after their run in the third, New York (18-10) officially snuffed out any hope in the Big Easy by scoring the first seven point of the final frame, opening things up with a Mikal Bridges three. From there, the Pelicans never got any closer than nine, dooming them to their sixth consecutive loss and 15th over their last 16 games.

Dec 21, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray (5) stands by New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) as the ball is thrown inbounds during the second half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images / Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Bridges put 18 in for the Knicks with half of that tally earned on a trio of triples. Precious Achiuwa and Jericho Sims united for 15 rebounds in relief, and the latter was a plus-17 in the box score, tied for second-best on the visitors with OG Anunoby. Despite hitting a season-low three from the field, Towns nonetheless notched his 17th consecutive double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, tying himself with Patrick Ewing for the fourth-longest streak in Knicks history.

With the win, the Knicks secured a season sweep of the Pelicans for the first time since 2020-21. New Orleans (5-24) was paced by Murphy with 26 points in defeat.

The Knicks now head home for a brief Christmas homestand, a two-game tally that starts on Monday night against the Toronto Raptors (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG).

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