Gritty Knicks Complete Miraculous Comeback
In many ways, Saturday’s roller-coaster contest was a microcosm of the 2025-26 season as a whole.
Final Score: Knicks 108 - Rockets 106
Record: 36-21
The Knicks fanbase was ornery coming into Saturday night’s showdown with Kevin Durant and the Rockets. On the heels of an embarrassing loss to the Pistons, there was palpable tension inside the world’s most famous arena.
And when New York went down double-digits in the second half, the boo birds started chirping. The exasperation and choler reached a crescendo early in the fourth quarter. With less than 11 minutes remaining in regulation, Amen Thompson outhustled New York for an offensive rebound, tipping the ball to Dorian Finney-Smith, who converted a layup. The bucket put Houston up 93-75.
Were the Knicks on their way to a second-straight disheartening defeat? It looked all but certain, considering that, entering last night, all NBA teams were a combined 1-359 when trailing by 18+ with less than 11 minutes left in the fourth quarter this season.
However, instead of letting go of the rope, New York decided to dig in.
Landry Shamet drilled a pair of desperately-needed three-pointers. KAT flushed down a dunk and then buried a triple of his own.
With the momentum moving in the right direction, Jose Alvarado went to work, supplying game-changing jolts of energy that electrified the crowd and his club. At times, it seemed as though Alavarado had cloned himself, as he was everywhere on both ends of the floor.
Once the Knicks cut the lead to single digits courtesy of an OG Anunoby slam, they turned to Captain Clutch. Jalen Brunson put on his cape and put the team on his back. The Mariano of MSG closed the show.
Over the game’s final five minutes, Brunson didn’t miss. He was a perfect 4-of-4 from the floor, despite the pressure and level of difficulty increasing on each subsequent shot.
