Game ID: 22400384
New York Knicks @ New Orleans Pelicans
Saturday, December 21, 2024 at 8:00 PM ET
Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
NOP 28 21 26 18 93NYK 28 17 33 26 104
NOP vs NYK ScoutingNOP vs NYK Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
NOP availability going into 12/08 · back-to-backOUT Williamson missed 15 since 11/08, out tonight
OUT Alvarado missed 13 since 11/13, out tonight
OUT Hawkins missed 5 since 11/29, out tonight
OUT Payton missed 2 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Matković missed 3 since 12/02, out tonight
OUT Theis missed 2 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Reeves missed 3 since 12/02, returns tonight: 4 min (29% of 15)
OUT Cain missed 3 since 12/02, returns tonight: 10 min (74% of 14)
OUT Jemison III missed 3 since 12/02, returns tonight: 4 min (34% of 10)
BACK Ingram back 12/05 after 5, 28 min since (84% of 33)
BACK Jones back 12/05 after 18, 34 min since (106% of 32)
NOP availability going into 12/12 · 3 days' restOUT Williamson missed 16 since 11/08, out tonight
OUT Alvarado missed 14 since 11/13, out tonight
OUT Hawkins missed 6 since 11/29, out tonight
OUT Payton missed 3 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Matković missed 4 since 12/02, out tonight
OUT Theis missed 3 since 12/05, returns tonight: 14 min (88% of 16)
BACK Ingram back 12/05 after 5, 28 min since (84% of 33)
BACK Jones back 12/05 after 18, 35 min since (109% of 32)
BACK Reeves back 12/08 after 3, 4 min since (29% of 15)
BACK Cain back 12/01 after 4, 9 min since (67% of 14)
BACK Jemison III back 12/08 after 3, 4 min since (34% of 10)
NOP availability going into 12/15 · 2 days' restOUT Williamson missed 17 since 11/08, out tonight
OUT Alvarado missed 15 since 11/13, out tonight
OUT Hawkins missed 7 since 11/29, out tonight
OUT Green missed 2 since 12/08, returns tonight: 14 min (63% of 22)
OUT Payton missed 4 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Matković missed 5 since 12/02, out tonight
BACK Ingram back 12/05 after 5, 28 min since (84% of 33)
BACK Jones back 12/05 after 18, 35 min since (109% of 32)
BACK Theis back 12/12 after 3, 14 min since (88% of 16)
BACK Reeves back 12/08 after 3, 4 min since (26% of 15)
BACK Cain back 12/08 after 3, 13 min since (94% of 14)
BACK Jemison III back 12/08 after 3, 3 min since (30% of 10)
NOP availability going into 12/19 · 3 days' restOUT Williamson missed 18 since 11/08, out tonight
OUT Alvarado missed 16 since 11/13, out tonight
OUT Hawkins missed 8 since 11/29, returns tonight: 17 min (73% of 24)
OUT Payton missed 5 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Matković missed 6 since 12/02, out tonight
OUT Robinson-Earl missed 2 since 12/12, returns tonight: 2 min (11% of 19)
BACK Ingram back 12/05 after 5, 28 min since (84% of 33)
BACK Jones back 12/05 after 18, 36 min since (111% of 32)
BACK Green back 12/15 after 2, 14 min since (63% of 22)
BACK Theis back 12/12 after 3, 14 min since (86% of 16)
BACK Reeves back 12/08 after 3, 4 min since (26% of 15)
BACK Cain back 12/08 after 3, 11 min since (82% of 14)
BACK Jemison III back 12/08 after 3, 3 min since (30% of 10)
NOP availability going into 12/21 · 1 day's restOUT Williamson missed 19 since 11/08, out tonight
OUT Alvarado missed 17 since 11/13, out tonight
OUT Payton missed 6 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Matković missed 7 since 12/02, out tonight
BACK Hawkins back 12/19 after 8, 17 min since (73% of 24)
BACK Green back 12/15 after 2, 15 min since (71% of 22)
BACK Robinson-Earl back 12/19 after 2, 2 min since (11% of 19)
BACK Theis back 12/12 after 3, 14 min since (86% of 16)
BACK Reeves back 12/08 after 3, 3 min since (22% of 15)
BACK Cain back 12/08 after 3, 11 min since (82% of 14)
BACK Jemison III back 12/08 after 3, 7 min since (67% of 10)
NOP availability going into 12/22 · back-to-backOUT Williamson missed 20 since 11/08, out tonight
OUT Alvarado missed 18 since 11/13, out tonight
OUT Payton missed 7 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Matković missed 8 since 12/02, out tonight
OUT Theis missed 2 since 12/19, returns tonight: 13 min (80% of 16)
OUT Cain missed 2 since 12/19, out tonight
BACK Hawkins back 12/19 after 8, 19 min since (80% of 24)
BACK Green back 12/15 after 2, 16 min since (74% of 22)
BACK Robinson-Earl back 12/19 after 2, 10 min since (53% of 19)
BACK Reeves back 12/08 after 3, 3 min since (22% of 15)
BACK Jemison III back 12/08 after 3, 7 min since (67% of 10)
NEW Missi 27 to 32 min over the last 5
NOP availability going into 12/26 · 3 days' restOUT Williamson missed 21 since 11/08, out tonight
OUT Alvarado missed 19 since 11/13, out tonight
OUT Payton missed 8 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Matković missed 9 since 12/02, out tonight
OUT Reeves missed 2 since 12/21, returns tonight: 9 min (59% of 15)
OUT Cain missed 3 since 12/19, out tonight
OUT Jemison III missed 2 since 12/21, out tonight
BACK Hawkins back 12/19 after 8, 24 min since (101% of 24)
BACK Green back 12/15 after 2, 16 min since (72% of 22)
BACK Robinson-Earl back 12/19 after 2, 10 min since (53% of 19)
BACK Theis back 12/12 after 3, 14 min since (84% of 16)
NEW Missi 27 to 33 min over the last 5
NOP availability going into 12/27 · back-to-backOUT Williamson missed 22 since 11/08, out tonight
OUT Alvarado missed 20 since 11/13, out tonight
OUT Payton missed 9 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Matković missed 10 since 12/02, out tonight
OUT Cain missed 4 since 12/19, out tonight
OUT Jemison III missed 3 since 12/21, out tonight
BACK Hawkins back 12/19 after 8, 22 min since (94% of 24)
BACK Green back 12/15 after 2, 16 min since (75% of 22)
BACK Robinson-Earl back 12/19 after 2, 11 min since (58% of 19)
BACK Theis back 12/22 after 2, 16 min since (99% of 16)
BACK Reeves back 12/26 after 2, 9 min since (59% of 15)
NEW Missi 27 to 33 min over the last 5
NOP availability going into 12/30 · 2 days' restOUT Williamson missed 23 since 11/08, out tonight
OUT Alvarado missed 21 since 11/13, out tonight
OUT Payton missed 10 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Matković missed 11 since 12/02, out tonight
OUT Cain missed 5 since 12/19, out tonight
OUT Jemison III missed 4 since 12/21, not on tonight's roster
BACK Hawkins back 12/19 after 8, 21 min since (88% of 24)
BACK Robinson-Earl back 12/19 after 2, 14 min since (74% of 19)
BACK Theis back 12/22 after 2, 18 min since (108% of 16)
BACK Reeves back 12/26 after 2, 9 min since (59% of 15)
NYK availability going into 12/09 · 1 day's restOUT Payne missed 2 since 12/05, returns tonight: 13 min (93% of 14)
NYK availability going into 12/11 · 1 day's restBACK Payne back 12/09 after 2, 13 min since (93% of 14)
NYK availability going into 12/15 · 3 days' restBACK Payne back 12/09 after 2, 15 min since (105% of 14)
NYK availability going into 12/19 · 3 days' restBACK Payne back 12/09 after 2, 13 min since (94% of 14)
NYK availability going into 12/21 · 1 day's restBACK Payne back 12/09 after 2, 14 min since (103% of 14)
NYK availability going into 12/23 · 1 day's restBACK Payne back 12/09 after 2, 13 min since (94% of 14)
NYK availability going into 12/25 · 1 day's rest
full strength
NYK availability going into 12/27 · 1 day's rest
full strength
NYK availability going into 12/28 · back-to-back
full strength
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 121, shooting 44 percent and 35 from three, 23 free throws a game; Murphy III at 21 and McCollum at 20 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Williamson (19 straight), Alvarado (17 straight), Payton (6 straight). One day's rest. New York comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 107, shooting 49 percent and 37 from three, 21 free throws a game; Towns at 24 and Brunson at 22 a game. One day's rest.
So: New York wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, New York allowing 107 a night to New Orleans's 121 and the glass, where New York has been minus-1 a night and New Orleans minus-6. Call it New York 116, New Orleans 109.
12/08 @ SAS 116-121 — NOP notes
NOP lost 116-121. NOP shot 43% (43 of 99) to SAS's 45%, 13 of 38 from three, and got to the line 21 times to SAS's 31. NOP turned it over 8 times to SAS's 13. The glass went 43-55 against them. Murphy III led with 25 (8 of 16, 4 of 10 from three); McCollum added 19, Murray 18. Q1 was theirs, 34-28, but the other 3 periods went 93-82 against them. McCollum's -16 in 34 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/12 vs SAC 109-111 — NOP notes
NOP lost 109-111. NOP shot 47% (39 of 83) to SAC's 40%, 14 of 37 from three, and got to the line 20 times to SAC's 29. NOP turned it over 17 times to SAC's 11, and SAC turned those into 12 steals. McCollum led with 36 (14 of 24, 6 of 11 from three); Murphy III added 21, D. Murray 20. Q4 was theirs, 26-20, the deficit cut from 8 to 2, but the other 3 periods went 91-83 against them. D. Murray's -6 in 35 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/15 @ IND 104-119 — NOP notes
NOP lost 104-119. NOP took 16 more shots (97 to 81), fed by 19 offensive rebounds, but shot 39% to IND's 51%, 10 of 33 from three. Boston led with 20 (7 of 15, 3 of 4 from three); Jones added 19, Murray 19. Q4 was theirs, 24-20, the deficit cut from 19 to 15, but the other 3 periods went 99-80 against them. Murray's -14 in 35 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/19 @ HOU 113-133 — NOP notes
NOP lost 113-133. NOP shot 45% (41 of 92) to HOU's 57%, 13 of 28 from three, and went to the line 25 times to HOU's 19 — 18 points from the stripe to their 16. Murphy III led with 28 (10 of 17, 4 of 6 from three); Jones added 20, McCollum 18. Q2 was theirs, 27-27, but the other 3 periods went 106-86 against them. Murray's -25 in 31 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/21 vs NYK 93-104 — NOP notes
NOP lost 93-104. NOP shot 41% (34 of 83) to NYK's 44%, 12 of 34 from three. Murphy III led with 26 (11 of 18, 3 of 8 from three); Murray added 14, McCollum 13. Q2 was theirs, 21-17, but the other 3 periods went 87-72 against them. They led by as many as 14.
12/22 vs DEN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 118, shooting 43 percent and 36 from three, 22 free throws a game; Murphy III at 23 and McCollum at 20 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Williamson (20 straight), Alvarado (18 straight), Payton (7 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 126 a night and allowing 117, shooting 54 percent and 36 from three, 26 free throws a game; Jokić at 35 and Murray at 24 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. 2 days' rest.
So: Denver wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Denver has been plus-5 a night and New Orleans minus-3. Call it Denver 119, New Orleans 112.
12/26 vs HOU — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 120, shooting 44 percent and 35 from three, 22 free throws a game; Murphy III at 22 and McCollum at 21 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Williamson (21 straight), Alvarado (19 straight), Payton (8 straight). 3 days' rest. Houston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 105, shooting 45 percent and 30 from three, 21 free throws a game; Brooks at 19 and Sengun at 19 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Eason (3 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Houston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Houston allowing 105 a night to New Orleans's 120 and the glass, where Houston has been plus-7 a night and New Orleans minus-3. Call it Houston 114, New Orleans 108.
12/27 vs MEM — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 123, shooting 43 percent and 34 from three, 22 free throws a game; Murphy III at 22 and McCollum at 17 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Williamson (22 straight), Alvarado (20 straight), Payton (9 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Memphis comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 129 a night and allowing 112, shooting 47 percent and 43 from three, 23 free throws a game; Jackson Jr. at 20 and Bane at 17 a game. It has won the glass by 11 a night. Without Smart (2 straight), Williams Jr. (16 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Memphis wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Memphis has been plus-11 a night and New Orleans minus-3 and the arc, Memphis at 43 percent from three to New Orleans's 34. Call it Memphis 122, New Orleans 112, Memphis by 10.
12/30 vs LAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 126, shooting 44 percent and 34 from three, 23 free throws a game; Murphy III at 26 and McCollum at 20 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Williamson (23 straight), Alvarado (21 straight), Payton (10 straight). 2 days' rest. The Clippers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 103, shooting 50 percent and 38 from three, 22 free throws a game; Powell at 28 and Harden at 25 a game. Without Mann (8 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: The Clippers win, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, the Clippers allowing 103 a night to New Orleans's 126 and the arc, the Clippers at 38 percent from three to New Orleans's 34. Call it the Clippers 116, New Orleans 109.
12/09 @ TOR 113-108 — NYK notes
NYK won 113-108. NYK shot 51% (42 of 82) to TOR's 45%, 17 of 40 from three, and went to the line 19 times to TOR's 11 — 12 points from the stripe to their 9. The glass went 40-51 against them. Towns led with 24 (7 of 13, 2 of 5 from three, 8 of 10 at the line); Bridges added 23, Brunson 20. The hinge was Q4, 30-22: NYK came in trailing by 3 and left it ahead by 5. NYK trailed 60-61 at the half and won the second half 53-47.
12/11 vs ATL 100-108 — NYK notes
NYK lost 100-108. NYK shot 43% (40 of 93) to ATL's 41%, 11 of 42 from three. Hart led with 21 (8 of 12, 3 of 5 from three); Bridges added 19, Towns 19. Q1 was theirs, 28-22, but the other 3 periods went 86-72 against them. They led by as many as 12. Bridges's -17 in 38 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/15 @ ORL 100-91 — NYK notes
NYK won 100-91. NYK shot 46% (33 of 71) to ORL's 42%, 10 of 24 from three, and went to the line 30 times to ORL's 13 — 24 points from the stripe to their 10. Brunson led with 31 (8 of 18, 4 of 8 from three, 11 of 14 at the line); Towns added 22, Bridges 17. The hinge was Q2, 29-19: from level to 10 ahead, and the lead reached 16. Anunoby was the night's best plus/minus at +14.
12/19 @ MIN 133-107 — NYK notes
NYK won 133-107. NYK shot 52% (50 of 97) to MIN's 46%, 20 of 45 from three. The glass went 57-37 for them. Towns led with 32 (10 of 12, 5 of 5 from three, 7 of 9 at the line); Bridges added 29, McBride 16. The hinge was Q2, 41-18: NYK came in trailing by 1 and left it ahead by 22, and the lead reached 36. Bridges was the night's best plus/minus at +35.
12/21 @ NOP 104-93 — NYK notes
NYK won 104-93. NYK shot 44% (38 of 87) to NOP's 41%, 15 of 37 from three. Brunson led with 39 (13 of 19, 7 of 10 from three, 6 of 6 at the line); Bridges added 18, Anunoby 16. The hinge was Q4, 26-18: a lead of 3 became 11. NYK trailed 45-49 at the half and won the second half 59-44. Brunson was the night's best plus/minus at +25.
12/23 vs TOR — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New York comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 101, shooting 47 percent and 39 from three, 19 free throws a game; Brunson at 24 and Towns at 22 a game. That is 3 straight wins. One day's rest. Toronto comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 113, shooting 45 percent and 36 from three, 17 free throws a game; Barrett at 25 and Dick at 18 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Barrett (2 straight), Poeltl (2 straight), Quickley (18 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: New York wins, and the game turns on the defense, New York allowing 101 a night to Toronto's 113 and the glass, where New York has been plus-1 a night and Toronto minus-5. Call it New York 116, Toronto 105, New York by 11.
12/25 vs SAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New York comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 105, shooting 49 percent and 39 from three, 21 free throws a game; Towns at 23 and Brunson at 22 a game. That is 4 straight wins. One day's rest. San Antonio comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 111, shooting 47 percent and 35 from three, 18 free throws a game; Wembanyama at 29 and Sochan at 15 a game. One day's rest.
So: New York wins, and the game turns on the glass, where New York has been plus-4 a night and San Antonio minus-1 and the arc, New York at 39 percent from three to San Antonio's 35. Call it New York 115, San Antonio 109.
12/27 @ ORL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Orlando comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 101 a night and allowing 102, shooting 45 percent and 30 from three, 21 free throws a game; da Silva at 16 and Suggs at 16 a game. Without Banchero (27 straight), Wagner (7 straight), Harris (13 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. New York comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 106, shooting 49 percent and 41 from three, 21 free throws a game; Bridges at 24 and Towns at 23 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 6 a night. One day's rest.
So: New York wins, on the road, and the game turns on the arc, New York at 41 percent from three to Orlando's 30 and the turnovers, Orlando giving it away 17 times a game to New York's 13. Call it New York 109, Orlando 107, Orlando keeping it close.
12/28 @ WAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Washington comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 114, shooting 43 percent and 37 from three, 21 free throws a game; Poole at 26 and Coulibaly at 18 a game. Without Kuzma (11 straight). One day's rest. New York comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 105, shooting 50 percent and 40 from three, 22 free throws a game; Bridges at 24 and Brunson at 22 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Second night of a back-to-back.
So: New York wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where New York has been plus-7 a night and Washington minus-3 and the defense, New York allowing 105 a night to Washington's 114. Call it New York 117, Washington 109.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
NYKCP C. Payne
JB J. Brunson
JH J. Hart
JS J. Sims
KT K. Towns
MB M. Bridges
MM M. McBride
OA O. Anunoby
PA P. Achiuwa
NOPBB B. Boston
CM C. McCollum
DM D. Murray
HJ H. Jones
JG J. Green
JH J. Hawkins
JR J. Robinson-Earl
TM T. Murphy III
YM Y. Missi
NYK/NOP the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Brunson scores season-high 39 points to lead Knicks past Pelicans 104-93
NEW ORLEANS -- — Jalen Brunson scored 29 of his season-high 39 points in the second half to power the New York Knicks to a 104-93 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans Saturday night.
All-NBA defensive player Herb Jones pressured Brunson in the first half, picking him up at three-quarters court. That pressure led to the Knicks’ 35.6% shooting in the first half, when New Orleans held a 49-45 lead.
But Brunson caught fire in the third quarter, scoring 16 points, including 13 straight, in a 22-6 run that erased a 65-52 deficit and gave New York a 74-71 lead. Brunson scored nine of the Knicks’ first 13 points of the fourth quarter to extend the lead to 95-81.
New Orleans, which lost for the 15th time in its last 16 games, was paced by Trey Murphy III with 26 points. Dejounte Murray added 14 points for New Orleans.
The Knicks also got 18 points from Mikal Bridges and 16 from OG Anunoby .
Takeaways Knicks: Karl-Anthony Towns was limited to 5 points in the first half on 1-of-5 shooting. He played only 10 minutes after picking up his third foul 44 seconds into the second quarter.
Pelicans: New Orleans had not led by double digits in a game since a 126-124 victory over Phoenix on Dec. 5. The Pelicans led 45-32 midway through the second quarter on a 3-pointer by Brandon Boston but faltered down the stretch..
Key moment The Knicks trailed 65-52 midway through the third quarter but buried the Pelicans with a 43-14 run over a 10:48 span in the third and fourth quarters to take a 95-81 lead.
Key stat Brunson finished 13 of 19 from the floor, including 7 of 10 from long range and 6 of 6 from the line.
Up next The Knicks will host Toronto on Monday night, and the Pelicans will host Denver Sunday night.