Zion Williamson Drops Season High 32 Points in Narrow Loss
From the opening tip, it was clear that defense would be a secondary concern for both squads. The first half was a pure shooting clinic, characterized by high efficiency and transition buckets. New Orleans actually entered the locker room with a 75-72 halftime lead, marking the most points the Knicks have surrendered in any opening half this season.
Saddiq Bey was the unexpected catalyst for the Pelicans early on, erupting for 23 points in the first quarter alone. Bey fell just one point shy of tying the franchise record for points in any single quarter, a mark currently shared by legends Anthony Davis and Trey Murphy III. However, despite the Pelicans shooting over 50 percent from the field in the first half, the Knicks remained within striking distance thanks to their own perimeter accuracy.
Jalen Brunson’s Late Game Heroics
As the game entered the final stretch, the "Nova Knicks" chemistry took center stage. Jalen Brunson finished the night with 28 points and 10 assists, but his most critical contributions came in the final 66 seconds. With the score tied and the pressure mounting, Brunson rebounded his own missed three pointer and hit a high arching running floater inside the baseline to give New York a 124-121 lead.
After Zion Williamson responded with two clutch free throws for the Pelicans, Brunson again took control, slicing through the defense for a driving layup. The Knicks' star point guard has developed a reputation for being one of the league’s most reliable "closers," and Monday night further solidified that status. Miles "Deuce" McBride then sealed the victory by sinking four consecutive free throws in the final 16 seconds.
Supporting Cast and Breakthrough Performances
While Brunson steered the ship, he had plenty of help from a deep Knicks roster. OG Anunoby provided his trademark two way excellence, finishing with 23 points and 11 rebounds while playing stifling defense on the Pelicans' wing scorers. Karl Anthony Towns also contributed a double-double with 12 points and 12 boards, maintaining his All Star pace for the 2025-26 season.
Perhaps the most surprising story of the night was the performance of rookie Mohamed Diawara. Making just his third career start, the Frenchman exploded for a career high 18 points, with 13 of those coming in the first quarter alone. Diawara’s ability to space the floor and finish at the rim has provided Coach Tom Thibodeau with a valuable new weapon in the rotation.
Zion Williamson and the Pelicans' Struggle
For the New Orleans Pelicans, the loss was particularly stinging as it overshadowed a spectacular return to form for Zion Williamson. Williamson, who recently rejoined the starting lineup after a right adductor injury, looked like his former self, bullying his way to a season high 32 points.
Zion was supported by Jordan Poole and Saddiq Bey, who each added 26 points, while Trey Murphy III chipped in with 21. However, the Pelicans were plagued by a scoring drought in the middle of the third quarter that allowed a 10 point lead to evaporate. This loss marks the fourth straight defeat for New Orleans, who now sit at 8-26 on the season and face an uphill battle to climb back into the Western Conference Play In race.
Playoff Implications and Momentum
With this win, the New York Knicks improve to 23-9, keeping them firmly in the hunt for the top seed in the Eastern Conference. The victory also marks their third consecutive win, signaling that the team is peaking as they head into the new year. Their ability to win a high scoring "track meet" on the road demonstrates a level of versatility that will be crucial come playoff time in April.
The Pelicans will need to find a way to translate Zion’s individual dominance into team wins. While the offense is clicking, their defensive lapses in the final two minutes proved fatal against an elite floor general like Brunson.