OG Anunoby, Knicks History Downs Dallas

New York Knicks fans enjoyed history and an offensive explosion in their latest victory.

Mar 25, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) dunks in the second quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images / Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

The New York Knicks were crushing and gushing on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden.

History set by Josh Hart and Karl-Anthony Towns, as well as a brilliant offensive output from OG Anunoby, guided the Knicks to a 128-113 interconference triumph over the Dallas Mavericks.

Anunoby broke loose for 35 points on a night where the Knicks shot just under 60 percent from the field while Hart (16 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists) and Towns (26 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists) became the first pair of Knick teammates to have triple-doubles in the same. Hart's box score proved particularly historic, as his ninth triple-double of the campaign gave him sole possession of the single-season record originally set by Walt "Clyde" Frazier in 1968-69.

Mar 25, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) drives past Dallas Mavericks forward Kai Jones (23) in the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images / Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

The teams couldn't be kept off the scoreboard in the first half, which ended at 68-all. The combined 62 percent success rate from the floor was the highest in a single game this season while Naji Marshall carried the load for depleted Dallas by sinking 13-of-16 from the field in the first 24. The 13 sinks from the field were tied for the most a Knicks opponent has ever had, as Marshall joined the elite company of Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and former Maverick Luka Doncic.

But the Knicks (45-26) clamped down in the second half, taking permanent control by scoring its first nine points and never looking back. Amidst Hart and Towns' united bouts of history, Anunoby broke loose for 21 points in the second half on a sterling 9-of-12 rate from the field while Mikal Bridges added 13 more in that same span. Their final output of 59.6 percent from the field was their second-best in a game this season behind 60.9 in a November win over Denver.

The hapless Mavericks (34-38) couldn't recover, falling behind by as much as 26 before accepting their fate. Marshall couldn't keep up his historic pace and was limited to three shots in the third quarter, though that enough to at least set his career-best in scoring at 38 in defeat.

Mar 25, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) drives to the basket in the first quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images / Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Taking advantage of a lack of Anthony Davis, who sat due to injury management after previously playing on Monday, and other North Texas regulars, New York made up for its own medical absences by scoring 76 points in the paint.

The eventual one-sided nature allowed rookies to take center-stage: Tyler Kolek, once again landing extended minutes, dished out a career-best nine assists in 19 minutes while Kevin McCullar earned his first NBA points in his Association debut, having missed most of his freshman tour due to a knee injury. The victory also ended the Knicks' five-game losing streak against the Mavericks and allowed them to split the annual regular season couple.

There's no rest for the Knicks, who immediately return to action against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG). Thanks to their triumph and Atlanta's loss to Houston, the Knicks can officially secure their 2025 playoff spot with a win over the Clippers.

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