Jalen Brunson Drops 42 in Masterclass Against Nuggets
Masterclass at Madison Square Garden The New York Knicks outlasted the defending champion Denver Nuggets in a double-overtime thriller at Madison Square Garden, 134-127, on Wednesday night. Leading the charge was point guard Jalen Brunson, who delivered a stunning 42-point performance, coming up just shy of a triple-double with 8 rebounds and 9 assists. It was the Knicks' eighth consecutive victory, their longest winning streak since a nine-game run in late 2024, and it came against one of the league's elite teams.
Brunson was sensational and efficient, shooting 14-of-27 from the field (52%) including 5-of-12 from three-point range, and 9-of-11 at the foul line. He scored 10 of his points in the second overtime alone, taking over the game when it mattered most. In fact, Brunson now holds the franchise record for the most games with at least 40 points, 5 assists, and 5 rebounds, underscoring the all-around impact he's making on a nightly basis.
Thrilling Finish in Double Overtime This game had a playoff atmosphere, featuring 20 lead changes and 19 ties. The Knicks appeared to have won in the first overtime until a controversial loose-ball foul on Mikal Bridges with 0.3 seconds left allowed Denver's Christian Braun to sink two clutch free throws, tying the game at 119 and forcing a second OT. In the second overtime, Brunson seized control – scoring the period's first six points and outscoring the entire Nuggets team 10-8 in that frame. A big three-pointer by Bridges put New York up 130-123 with 1:25 remaining, and Brunson iced the game with a driving floater and free throws in the final minute.
Denver didn't go down quietly. Jamal Murray poured in 39 points for the Nuggets, and two-time MVP Nikola Jokic had a 30-point triple-double (14 rebounds, 10 assists). Jokic, however, struggled mightily from beyond the arc, shooting just 1-for-13 from three-point range on the night. Even as Jokic nearly won it at the end of regulation – his buzzer-beating three-point attempt rattled out – the Knicks' defense held when it counted.
Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 24 points and 12 rebounds, playing through a cut over his right eye suffered in a first-quarter collision. Towns fouled out late in the first overtime, but not before helping New York build momentum with his inside presence. Swingman OG Anunoby added 20 points as the Knicks had six players in double figures, demonstrating the depth behind Brunson's brilliance.
Streaking Knicks and Standings Impact With this win, the Knicks improved to 33-18 on the season. They remain atop the Atlantic Division (tied with Boston) and have firmly established themselves as contenders in the Eastern Conference. The eight-game winning streak – which included several blowout wins by an average of 24+ points prior to this nail-biter – is a statement that this Knicks team can win in different ways. Beating the reigning champions in a marathon game only bolsters New York’s confidence and league-wide reputation.
Meanwhile, Denver fell to 33-19 and is dealing with a three-game losing skid. The Nuggets, the NBA's defending champs, have been hit with injuries and now find themselves chasing the West-leading Oklahoma City Thunder in the standings. Wednesday’s loss, despite the valiant efforts of Murray and Jokic, showed the toll of those absences – including the loss of forward Peyton Watson to a hamstring injury during the game – as they couldn’t match New York’s execution in the final moments.
All-Star Caliber Campaign Brunson’s performance continues what has been a torrid All-Star campaign for the 29-year-old guard. He was recently named an Eastern Conference starter for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game, and nights like this justify that honor. Knicks head coach Mike Brown didn't mince words about his captain's impact, saying after the game, "That's what an MVP candidate does. On a big stage, on a back to back, he showed why again he should be mentioned as one of the first [names] if anybody is talking about MVP candidates". Indeed, Brunson has ascended into the MVP conversation, leading New York with clutch heroics on a regular basis and drawing "M-V-P" chants from the home crowd at MSG.
Looking Ahead The Knicks will look to push their win streak to nine games when they visit the Detroit Pistons on Friday. With Brunson playing the best basketball of his career and the team firing on all cylinders, New York is surging toward the All-Star break as one of the hottest teams in the NBA. The Garden faithful are buzzing, and with performances like this, it's easy to see why the Knicks believe they can compete with any team in the league this season.