MVB! Brunson's Return Sets Tone For Knicks' Win over Jokić, Nuggets

The New York Knicks had the last laugh against MVP Nikola Jokić as Jalen Brunson's return set the tone for a major victory over the Western Conference-leading Denver Nuggets.

No matter how dominant the New York Knicks were on Saturday afternoon against the Western Conference-leading Denver Nuggets, the performance of New Jersey's Fairleigh Dickinson University Knights ensured they would not have the tri-state area's biggest upset of the weekend. 

That matters little to the Knicks, who enjoyed yet another victory that counts toward both their growing playoff prospects as well as the mental momentum required for making a noise in such trips. 

Jalen Brunson's return to the Knicks' lineup served as one of several catalysts in a 116-110 win over Denver, the Knicks' third in a row after a three-game losing streak. In his return to action since missing a majority of the Knicks' recent four-leg Western road trip, Brunson got the Knicks going early with 16 first quarter points. Denver kept him in check over the middle frames before Brunson capped off a team-best 24-point effort by partaking in a final frame that capped off a New York comeback from a deficit that reached as high as 13 in the second half.

Keeping up with the theme of March Madness, Brunson's collegiate teammate Josh Hart was all over the floor with 13 points and eight rebounds off the bench while Duke alum RJ Barrett, his Blue Devils one win away from partaking in the East Regional semifinals at MSG, had 21 points on 8-of-13 shooting. Julius Randle also had 20 points in the win, but it was Brunson's return that took center stage. As Brunson took final-minute free throws that gave the Knicks a permanent two-possession lead, a packed Madison Square Garden crowd filled with young fans chanted "M-V-P" in appreciation of his efforts.

With the win, New York (42-30) secured its first winning season in an 82-game setup since 2012-13 as well as their first sweep of the Nuggets in two decades. In defeat, Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray united for 49 points but the Knicks kept the two-time defending NBA MVP Jokić in check to the tune of 1-of-5 shooting from three-point range. Denver (47-24) continues to hold a four-game advantage over Sacramento and Memphis for the Western lead but has now dropped five of its past six.

The Knicks have another Western Conference opponent coming into MSG before they're forced into another road trip by the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, as the Minnesota Timberwolves visit on Monday night (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG).

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Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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