The New York Knicks delivered a stellar performance, fueled by their star players, to halt the Portland Trail Blazers' impressive winning streak. This thrilling Sunday night matchup, reported on January 11, 2026, saw the Knicks emerge victorious with a score of 123-114, ending the Blazers' streak at five games. But what exactly led to this exciting outcome? Let's dive in!
Leading the charge for the Knicks was Jalen Brunson, who showcased his scoring prowess with 26 points. OG Anunoby contributed significantly with 24 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns added a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Mikal Bridges also had a solid game, finishing with 18 points, six assists, and six rebounds. This win was especially crucial for the Knicks, as they had previously struggled, losing five of their last six games.
On the Blazers' side, Deni Avdija put up a valiant effort, scoring 25 points. However, the game took a concerning turn when he appeared to injure his back while going for a rebound in the final moments, forcing him to leave the court. The severity of his injury remained unknown at the time.
The game was a back-and-forth battle. The Knicks built a 10-point lead in the third quarter, but the Blazers fought back, tying the score early in the fourth quarter. The lead changed hands several times until Miles McBride's clutch 3-pointer put the Knicks ahead for good with 3:47 remaining. Brunson's 3-pointer with 2:23 left extended the Knicks' lead to 117-107, effectively sealing the victory.
Adding to the Knicks' strength was the return of Josh Hart, who had been sidelined since Christmas Day due to an ankle injury. Hart made an immediate impact, scoring 18 points. The Blazers welcomed back Jrue Holiday, who had been out since mid-November due to a calf injury. Before his injury, Holiday was averaging 16.7 points and a career-high 8.3 assists this season. In this game, he played 16 minutes and scored eight points.
The first half was a closely contested affair, with Hart making a notable contribution of 12 points in his 14 minutes of play. The Knicks started to pull away in the closing minutes of the first half, extending their lead to 60-54 thanks to Karl-Anthony Towns. Early in the third quarter, Jalen Brunson's running layup gave New York a 72-62 lead, but the Blazers kept chipping away, narrowing the gap to 90-88 early in the fourth.
A key takeaway from this game is the Knicks' ability to rally and perform under pressure, especially with their key players stepping up.
Up Next: The Knicks will face Sacramento on Wednesday night, while the Trail Blazers will take on Golden State on Tuesday night.
What are your thoughts on the Knicks' performance? Do you think the Blazers could have won if Avdija hadn't been injured? Share your opinions in the comments below!
