Jalen Brunson scored 31 points and Karl-Anthony Towns added 29 as the New York Knicks beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 109-97 on Saturday in the teams’ first meeting since last season’s Eastern Conference finals.
Brunson took over in the second quarter, scoring 18 consecutive points over a 4:24 span. His run turned a 39-37 Cleveland lead into a 52-45 Knicks advantage, and New York carried a 63-53 lead into halftime.
The Knicks extended their advantage in the third quarter, outscoring Cleveland 25-17 to lead 88-70 entering the final period. Towns finished with 13 rebounds, while Brunson added nine assists.
Donovan Mitchell tried to bring the Cavaliers back, scoring 21 of his season-high 37 points in the fourth quarter. Cleveland outscored New York 27-21 in the period, but Brunson hit a key jumper in the final three minutes to protect the lead.
Towns shot 11-for-21 from the field, made two three-pointers and grabbed 13 rebounds. OG Anunoby added 15 points, while Landry Shamet scored nine, including three three-pointers.
The matchup renewed a rivalry shaped by last season’s Eastern Conference finals, when New York swept Cleveland.
New York improved to 5-4 with the win, while Cleveland fell to 5-5. The Knicks played without Josh Hart, who missed his second straight game with an ankle injury.
Cleveland was also without Jarrett Allen (knee), Jaylon Tyson (ankle) and Sam Merrill (elbow). The Cavaliers entered the rematch after handing Philadelphia its first road loss on Friday.
New York hosts the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday, while Cleveland visits the Charlotte Hornets on Monday.
