In a game that swung on composure rather than firepower, Jalen Brunson once again proved why the New York Knicks trust him with the ball when everything is on the line.

Brunson finished with 28 points and 10 assists, but it was his calm execution in the final minute that defined Monday night’s 130-125 road win over the New Orleans Pelicans. With the score tight and momentum fragile, Brunson buried a driving floater and followed it with a tough layup in the final 1:06, swinging the lead decisively in New York’s favor.

The victory marked the Knicks’ third straight win and capped a performance built on balance, resilience, and timely shot-making inside the Smoothie King Center.

Brunson’s moment, Knicks’ response

The closing stretch felt like playoff basketball in December. With 3:36 remaining, the game was knotted at 117 after Brunson and Jordan Poole traded three-pointers. From there, every possession mattered.

Brunson missed a potential dagger from deep but chased down his own rebound, calmly drifting into a running floater just inside the baseline to give New York a 124-121 edge. After Zion Williamson answered at the free-throw line, Brunson attacked again, slicing through traffic for a driving layup that drained both time and belief from the Pelicans.

Guard Miles McBride, known to Knicks fans as Deuce, iced the game by knocking down four free throws in the final 16 seconds, sealing a road win that demanded patience more than flair.

Support steps up around the star

While Brunson led the way, New York’s supporting cast delivered crucial contributions. OG Anunoby posted 23 points and 11 rebounds, controlling the glass and providing defensive muscle when the game tightened.

Rookie Mohamed Diawara produced the breakout moment of his young career, scoring a career-high 18 points in just his third NBA start. Remarkably, Diawara — who had never scored more than five points in a game — poured in 13 points in the first quarter alone, keeping New York afloat early.

Karl-Anthony Towns added stability inside with 12 points and 12 rebounds, giving the Knicks a double-double presence that balanced their perimeter attack.

Zion shines, Pelicans fall again

Despite the loss, Williamson delivered his most explosive outing of the season. The former No. 1 pick erupted for a season-high 32 points, relentlessly attacking the rim and carrying New Orleans through long stretches. Saddiq Bey and Poole added 26 points apiece, while Trey Murphy III chipped in 21.

The Pelicans controlled much of the early flow, leading 75-72 at halftime as both teams shot 50% or better. The first half leaned heavily toward offense, but defensive pressure ramped up after the break, turning the contest into a possession-by-possession battle.

New Orleans, however, couldn’t convert enough stops late. The loss marked the Pelicans’ fourth straight, deepening frustration in a season still searching for consistency.

Absence and aftermath

The Pelicans were without guard Jose Alvarado, a New York native serving a two-game suspension following a fight Saturday night with Phoenix’s Mark Williams. His absence was felt defensively, particularly in the final minutes when Brunson dictated pace.

For the Knicks, the takeaway was simple: trust the closer. Brunson didn’t force hero shots or rush decisions. He waited, attacked, and finished — exactly what winning teams demand on the road.

On a night when Zion Williamson delivered his loudest statement of the season, it was Jalen Brunson’s quiet control that ultimately decided the game.