Jalen Brunson scored a season-high 55 points as the New York Knicks completed a stunning fightback to defeat the Washington Wizards 136-132 in overtime on Saturday. The Knicks surged from 10 down in the final quarter, inspired by Brunson’s 55-point night, as they swept home to their seventh successive NBA victory.
Brunson scored 42 of his points in the second half and overtime as the Knicks defeated the Wizards for a third time this season. It was Brunson’s third 50-point game with the Knicks and came against a feisty Wizards side missing top scorer Kyle Kuzma and backup shooting guard Jordan Poole.
Justin Champagnie scored a career-high 31 points for Washington, which broke open an 11-point third-quarter lead and headed into the fourth quarter with an eight-point advantage. The Wizards still had control at 119-114 with just over a minute left before Brunson’s three-point play and driving layup forced overtime.
In overtime, Brunson and Josh Hart salted away the win at the line. Brunson went 18-of-31 from the field and was 16-of-17 at the foul line. “I read the game and found a way to impact it,” Brunson said.
In other games, the Oklahoma City Thunder coasted to a 106-94 victory over the Charlotte Hornets behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 22 points. The Thunder amassed 29 assists on the night to improve to 25-5.
Josh Giddey collected 23 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists for a triple-double as the Bulls fought off Milwaukee 116-111. Damian Lillard had 29 points and 11 assists for the Bucks, who were missing Giannis Antetokounmpo.
With no LeBron James because of illness, Anthony Davis had a 36-point, 15-rebound performance and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Sacramento Kings 132-122. Austin Reaves had 26 points and 16 assists.
Jonathan Kuminga scored a career-high 34 points in a 109-105 Warriors victory over the Suns in San Francisco that ended a three-game losing streak.
Denver’s Nikola Jokic scored 37 points in a 134-121 win over Detroit, and the Trail Blazers got 23 from Shaedon Sharpe to top Dallas 126-122 despite 46 from the Mavs’ Kyrie Irving.
