Denver, CO — OG Anunoby erupted for a career-high 40 points, and Jalen Brunson dished out a personal-best 17 assists as the New York Knicks dominated the Denver Nuggets 145-118 on Monday night.
Brunson also poured in 23 points, contributing to the Knicks’ impressive 45 assists, which tied the franchise record for most in a single game. The record was originally set on November 24, 1979, against Cleveland.
New York got off to a scorching start, leading by 12 after the first quarter and extending their advantage to 23 points by halftime. The Knicks continued to build on their lead, reaching a 30-point margin at one point, finishing the night shooting a blistering 60.9% from the field. Despite the commanding lead, the Knicks’ starters played significant minutes in the second half.
Denver’s Karl-Anthony Towns, who had been a game-time decision due to a sore calf, delivered a strong performance with 30 points and 15 rebounds. Nikola Jokic added 22 points but recorded a season-low seven rebounds, while reserve Russell Westbrook chipped in 27 points for the Nuggets.
Takeaways:
- Knicks: Towns, who was traded to New York from the Minnesota Timberwolves in a blockbuster move on October 2, continued to haunt the Nuggets. He was an efficient 12-of-15 shooting from the field and played a pivotal role in the Knicks’ commanding victory. Towns was part of the Timberwolves team that eliminated the Nuggets in last season’s playoffs.
- Nuggets: Denver’s home struggles continued as they dropped to a surprising 5-4 record at Ball Arena. Last season, the Nuggets boasted one of the best home records in the league, finishing with a 33-8 mark.
Key Moment:
Brunson took over in the first quarter, scoring nine consecutive points during a stretch that saw the Knicks outscore the Nuggets 9-2. This run helped break the game open and set the tone for the rest of the night.
Key Stat:
Anunoby and Brunson were a combined 9-of-12 from beyond the arc, leading the Knicks to an impressive 19-of-36 shooting performance from three-point range.
Up Next:
The Knicks will face the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night, while the Nuggets head to Utah for a two-game road trip, also beginning on Wednesday.
