CHARLOTTE, North Carolina — Jalen Brunson scored 31 factors and made two free throws with 8.6 seconds remaining, and the New York Knicks held on to beat the short-handed Charlotte Hornets 99-98 to enhance to three -0 within the NBA Cup on Friday.
Karl-Anthony Cities added 19 factors and 12 rebounds for the Knicks, who entered the sport 23 factors behind the Orlando Magic in level differential in Group A and in want of a blowout victory. The Magic are 2-0 in group play and journey to Brooklyn on Friday night time.
Brandon Miller had 20 factors and Josh Inexperienced added 15 factors for the Hornets, who performed with out three starters, together with red-hot LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges and Mark Williams, in addition to key reserves Nick Richards, Tre Mann and Grant Williams.
The Knicks dedicated eight turnovers within the first quarter and have been held to fifteen factors.
Takeaways
Knicks: New York performed sloppy, uninspired basketball within the first half. The Knicks took the lead within the ultimate minute, nevertheless it was short-lived as Josh Inexperienced hit a jumper to regain the lead, then stole a lazy move from Mikal Bridges and spun round to hit a jumper that pale away as time expired. .
Hornets: Ball, who averaged 40.3 factors per sport in his earlier 4 outings, sat out with left calf soreness. Head coach Charles Lee mentioned Ball felt one thing towards the top of Wednesday night time’s 98-94 loss to the Miami Warmth. He offered no updates on when Ball may return to the lineup.
Key second
Brunson’s mid-range jumper with 4:50 left gave the Knicks the lead for good.
Key statistic
Miller was 7 of 25 from the sphere and a pair of of 11 from past the arc.
To be continued
The Knicks host the Pelicans on Sunday. The Hornets host the Hawks on Saturday night time.
