New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson hit a franchise milestone in their win on Sunday night
The New York Knicks entered Sunday's contest against the Portland Trail Blazers in a rough spot, looking to avoid a 0-2 start to their road trip. Holding just a 1-5 record over the past six games prior to Sunday's contest, it was clear this Knicks team needed a win badly, not just for their position in the standings, but for their morale.
The Trail Blazers on the other hand were on a five-game winning streak, with likely All-Star Deni Avdija leading the way. However, the Knicks stepped up to the plate when it mattered, delivering a 123-114 win, sending the home fans home with a loss to end off the weekend.
Jalen Brunson Hits Major Milestone
Not a surprise at all, but it was Jalen Brunson who led the way for the Knicks, scoring 26 points and dishing out eight assists in a productive night where he ended with a +18 plus-minus. Additionally, in his 246th regular season game with the Knicks, he surpassed former Knicks guard Ray Williams to move to 20th on the franchise's all-time scoring list.
Williams spent five seasons with the Knicks, spanning from 1977-81, as well as the 1983-84 season. Williams was definitely strong for his time, but he wasn't reaching the heights Brunson has so far with the Knicks.
Back to the game, the Knicks' supporting cast stepped it up, with OG Anunoby (24 points), Karl-Anthony Towns (20 points), and Mikal Bridges (18 points) all playing well offensively after being in recent slumps. Additionally, Josh Hart added 18 points in his return to the lineup, as he had been sidelined since Christmas Day.
The Knicks got solid production as well from Mitchell Robinson and Miles McBride off the bench, but it was a starter-heavy contribution on Sunday.
As for the Trail Blazers, Deni Avdija, Shaedon Sharpe, and Caleb Love all scored at least 21 points, but Avdija went down late in the contest with an injury and headed to the locker room.
What's Next For The Knicks?
The Knicks will now continue onward with their West Coast road trip, ending things off with a back-to-back against the Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors, starting on Wednesday. While the Knicks will have the upper hand in both contests, their recent play indicates anything can happen for them.
As we progress into the middle of January, the trade deadline continues to approach. The Knicks don't need to make any drastic moves, but some extra rotational pieces could be the difference come playoff time.