OG Anunoby led the charge with 26 points, and Jalen Brunson contributed 21 points as the New York Knicks delivered a significant defeat to the Denver Nuggets, the reigning NBA champions, with a score of 122-84 on Thursday night. This loss stands as Denver’s most substantial of the season.
The Knicks, boosted by Anunoby’s recent acquisition from Toronto, have seen a surge in their performance, winning five consecutive games and 11 out of their last 13. Anunoby was particularly impressive, shooting 10 for 18 from the field and recording six steals. Brunson praised Anunoby’s growing comfort and aggressive play on both ends of the court.
“He’s getting more and more comfortable,” Brunson said. “He played really well tonight. He was aggressive on both sides of the ball. That’s the OG we got, that’s the OG we saw playing against for a while.”
Despite Nikola Jokic’s efforts, scoring 31 points and securing 11 rebounds, the Nuggets couldn’t maintain their three-game winning streak. This defeat concluded a five-game road trip that also included a loss to Philadelphia.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: OG Anunoby, Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks, Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets Updates
Jokic acknowledged the Knicks’ dominant play, admitting that the Nuggets were outperformed. Denver’s previous worst defeat this season was against Oklahoma City in December.
“They were just more aggressive,” Jokic said. “One team basically on the floor today. We were not there today.”
Nuggets coach Mike Malone expressed his disappointment with the game’s outcome and the challenging schedule ahead. Denver will have little rest before hosting the Philadelphia 76ers in a matinee game on Saturday.
“I thought it was a very disappointing ending to the road trip,” Denver coach Mike Malone said. “You never want to get blown out, which is what happened tonight. And we live to fight another day.”
“All of our focus right now is getting home, getting some rest tomorrow, and thankful that the NBA gave us a matinee game on Saturday,” Malone continued.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: OG Anunoby, Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks, Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets Updates
The Knicks, on the other hand, showcased their offensive strength, shooting 52.9% from the field and 39.5% from beyond the arc. Brunson, DiVincenzo, and Randle set an early pace, combining for 25 points in the first quarter, helping New York establish and maintain a double-digit lead throughout the game.
“I am not going to lie to you bro, it’s regular season. I couldn’t care less,” Randle said. “I like the fact that we won, first and foremost, you don’t want to be on that end. But we’re building the right habits. For me it only matters in April.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: OG Anunoby, Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks, Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets Updates
Despite the impressive win, Julius Randle emphasized the team’s focus on long-term goals and building the right habits, underlining the importance of performance in April. For the Nuggets, Aaron Gordon was the only player besides Jokic to score in double figures, contributing 12 points.
Looking ahead, the Nuggets are set to face the Philadelphia 76ers at home, while the Knicks will host the Miami Heat, both games scheduled for Saturday.
