Rockets Vs Knicks — Brunson’s Late Heroics Fuel New York’s 18-Point Comeback
The Knicks rallied from an 18-point deficit early in the fourth quarter to stun the Rockets 108-106 on Saturday night, with Jalen Brunson delivering a late run that capped the largest comeback of the season. The turnaround ended what looked like a second straight ugly loss for New York coming out of the All-Star break and quelled rising boos at Madison Square Garden.
Rockets Vs Knicks: Brunson’s fourth-quarter masterclass
Brunson had endured one of his worst offensive nights, missing his first five shots and not making a field goal until there were 4: 21 left in the third quarter; he had just two points at halftime free throws. But he took over in the fourth. He hit a jumper to pull New York within four with 4: 40 left, drew a charge on Amen Thompson to regain possession, drilled another jumper to cut the lead to two, and with 1: 14 remaining converted a layup to tie the game at 103. He then took a charge on Kevin Durant and crossed up Tari Eason before sinking a 15-foot jumper with 21. 2 seconds left that proved to be the decisive basket.
Defensive reset and turnover surge
The Knicks’ comeback was built on a dramatic defensive shift in the fourth quarter. New York forced the Rockets into nine turnovers in that period while committing just one turnover themselves. Those miscues by the Rockets amplified the impact of Brunson’s momentum swing and created repeated late-game possessions that the Knicks exploited.
Towns, Alvarado and Anunoby: bench and superstar contributions
Karl-Anthony Towns played a pivotal role, scoring seven points in the fourth quarter and finishing with a game-high 25. His involvement had been a major talking point after New York’s blowout loss to the Pistons on Thursday, and the coaching staff credited Towns with challenging teammates about defense before the fourth quarter. Towns said he wanted to set the tone and intensity for the full 12 minutes needed to complete the comeback.
Jose Alvarado supplied five points and three steals during the crucial fourth-quarter stretch, energizing the defense. OG Anunoby paced the Knicks with 16 points in the first half but managed just four in the second half; he did, however, drill both free throws with 5. 4 seconds left to ice the victory. Landry Shamet added 14 points off the bench and played key minutes down the stretch, receiving those minutes over Mikal Bridges — a recurring rotation choice by coach Mike Brown.
Rockets’ late-game fade — Durant and the offense
Kevin Durant entered the fourth quarter with 25 points but managed only five more the rest of the way, shooting 2-for-7 in that span. Three of those late points came on a three-pointer that followed Anunoby’s free throws. The Rockets’ offense faltered under New York’s late defensive pressure, and their turnover problems in the final period proved decisive.
Coaching response and crowd reaction
With the Knicks facing boos at Madison Square Garden and the prospect of consecutive disappointing outcomes, coach Mike Brown emphasized the team’s resilience, noting that they found a way to win. He also praised Brunson for finding a path to score in crunch time. The combination of a pre-emptive defensive challenge from Towns, energy from role players, and Brunson’s late aggression reversed momentum and produced the comeback.
Game takeaway and context
The 108-106 final underscored a sudden reversal: a team that looked dead in the late stages flipped the script through a concentrated defensive effort and a late offensive burst from its leader. This comeback stands as the Knicks’ largest of the season, salvaging a win that had appeared unlikely when they trailed by 18 at the start of the fourth quarter.
