Bold statement: The Knicks staged a dramatic comeback from an 18-point fourth-quarter hole to stun the Rockets 108-106, proving momentum can flip in a heartbeat. But here's where it gets controversial: does this performance redefine New York’s ceiling, or does Houston’s late slip reveal a stubborn flaw in their resilience?
New York weathered a rough start and a mid-game wobble, clawing back with relentless pace and crisp execution. Karl-Anthony Towns delivered a game-high 25 points, while Jalen Brunson poured in 20 and OG Anunoby added 20 for the Knicks. Mikal Bridges contributed 11 as New York snapped a disappointing loss to the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons two days earlier. On the other side, Kevin Durant paced Houston with 30 points, supported by Jabari Smith Jr.’s 21 and Alperen Şengün’s 16, with Amen Thompson adding 12 points and 10 rebounds. The Rockets had rattled off five straight victories entering the matchup.
The Knicks started their comeback with an 8-1 burst early in the fourth quarter after trailing by 13 at halftime. Smith’s 3-pointer near the Houston bench nudged the visitors ahead, but Houston answered with misfires at critical moments. The Knicks seized momentum as Houston missed eight straight shots and committed a pair of turnovers, fueling a 14-2 run that trimmed the deficit to 99-97 with 3:32 remaining. Brunson kept New York in striking distance, tying the game at 103 with 1:26 left after a Bruson jumper.
A pivotal turn: Durant lost possession near the sideline and drew an offensive foul on the next sequence as he collided with Brunson, giving the Knicks a window to take the lead. Brunson answered again with a confident pull-up jumper to put New York ahead for good. Durant had a final chance to win at the buzzer, but his 40-footer fell short.
Key takeaway: The Knicks demonstrated grit, crunch-time poise, and depth when it mattered most, delivering a memorable comeback against a Houston squad that had been riding high prior to this loss.
Upcoming matchups:
- Rockets at Utah on Monday night.
- Knicks at Chicago on Sunday night.
Source: AP/ESPN game recap coverage and box-score notes.
