Oct 15, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson (11) reacts during the first quarter against the Toronto Raptors at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
The New York Knicks survived a serious challenge from the Toronto Raptors, escaping with a 122-120 victory behind Jalen Brunson‘s team-high 20 points and a balanced team effort. It wasn’t always pretty, but New York found enough scoring throughout its rotation to hold off a Toronto team that had five starters score in double figures.
Brunson was the Knicks’ offensive leader, finishing with 20 points and seven assists, while Karl-Anthony Towns nearly recorded a triple-double with 13 points, 15 rebounds, and nine assists. New York also received a major boost from its bench, particularly Andre Drummond, who delivered 14 points and eight rebounds in just 15 minutes.
The Knicks shot 47.8% from the field and made 15 three-pointers. Toronto actually shot 50.6% overall and finished with 13 threes, but New York’s depth and ability to get timely contributions proved decisive in a game that came down to the final possessions.
Jalen Brunson: A
Game Stats: 20 PTS, 3 REB, 7 AST, 3 TOV, 7-15 FG, 1-1 3-PT FG, 5-6 FT, 29 MIN
Brunson led the Knicks with 20 points and seven assists, providing the scoring and playmaking New York needed to survive Toronto’s challenge. He shot 7-of-15 from the field and converted five of six free throws. While he wasn’t particularly efficient from the field, his ability to create offense and get to the line kept the Knicks moving.
Brunson also committed three turnovers, and the Knicks didn’t pull away from Toronto. Still, he was New York’s leading scorer and primary offensive engine. In a game decided by two points, his production mattered.
Karl-Anthony Towns: A
Game Stats: 13 PTS, 15 REB, 9 AST, 3 TOV, 4-8 FG, 2-5 3-PT FG, 3-4 FT, 29 MIN
Towns was one of the Knicks’ most important players, coming within one assist of a triple-double. He finished with 13 points, 15 rebounds, and nine assists while shooting an efficient 4-of-8 from the field. His work on the glass gave New York a significant presence inside, and his passing helped keep the offense moving.
Towns also hit two three-pointers, showing his ability to contribute from the perimeter. He did commit three turnovers, but his rebounding and playmaking made up for much of that. In a close game, his all-around production was essential.
Andre Drummond: A
Game Stats: 14 PTS, 8 REB, 4 AST, 1 BLK, 1 TOV, 6-7 FG, 2-5 FT, 15 MIN
Drummond was outstanding in limited playing time, scoring 14 points on 6-of-7 shooting and collecting eight rebounds in just 15 minutes. He finished efficiently around the basket and added four assists and a block. His ability to generate offense without needing many touches was a major boost for New York.
Drummond gave the Knicks exactly the kind of productive interior presence they needed. His 14 points were the second-highest total among the team’s bench players, and his rebounding helped New York compete on the glass.
Jose Alvarado: A-
Game Stats: 9 PTS, 3 AST, 1 STL, 2 TOV, 3-4 FG, 3-3 3-PT FG, 14 MIN
Alvarado made an immediate impact from the perimeter, finishing with nine points on 3-of-4 shooting from three-point range. He added three assists and a steal in 14 minutes, giving New York an energetic two-way presence. His perfect night from beyond the arc was especially useful in a game where every basket mattered.
He also finished with a +7 plus-minus, reflecting a productive stint on the floor. Alvarado didn’t need many possessions to make his presence felt.
Landry Shamet: B+
Game Stats: 13 PTS, 2 REB, 3 AST, 2 STL, 3-8 FG, 1-5 3-PT FG, 6-7 FT, 24 MIN
Shamet supplied 13 points in 24 minutes, knocking down a three-pointer and converting six of seven free throws. He also handed out three assists and collected two steals without committing a turnover. His 3-of-8 shooting wasn’t spectacular, but he found ways to contribute and finished with a team-best +14 among the Knicks’ rotation players.
Shamet’s ability to provide scoring while protecting the ball was valuable in a close contest. He gave New York another reliable option outside its starting lineup.
Miles McBride: B+
Game Stats: 9 PTS, 1 REB, 2 AST, 3-6 FG, 3-6 3-PT FG, 13 MIN
McBride delivered nine points in 13 minutes, making three of his six shots from beyond the arc. He added an assist and avoided turnovers, providing efficient perimeter production in a short stint. His +14 plus-minus tied Shamet for the best mark among the Knicks’ rotation players.
McBride’s shooting helped New York get valuable offense from its bench, and his ability to knock down threes made him an effective complement to the team’s primary creators.
Tyler Kolek: B
Game Stats: 6 PTS, 1 AST, 1 STL, 2-3 FG, 2-3 3-PT FG, 5 MIN
Kolek played just five minutes but made the most of his chances, scoring six points on 2-of-3 shooting and hitting both of his three-point attempts. He also recorded an assist and a steal. It was a short, efficient contribution that gave the Knicks another unexpected scoring boost.
Mikal Bridges: B-
Game Stats: 14 PTS, 4 REB, 1 AST, 2 BLK, 4 TOV, 6-9 FG, 1-4 3-PT FG, 1-1 FT, 30 MIN
Bridges scored 14 points on an efficient 6-of-9 shooting, adding four rebounds and two blocks. He made the most of his opportunities around the basket and provided some defensive value, but four turnovers and a -17 plus-minus were concerning in a two-point game. Bridges had a productive scoring night, though he could have done more to help New York control the contest.
Pacome Dadiet: B-
Game Stats: 6 PTS, 1 REB, 1 AST, 2 TOV, 3-6 FG, 0-2 3-PT FG, 11 MIN
Dadiet gave New York a useful scoring contribution in 11 minutes, finishing with six points on 3-of-6 shooting. He added a rebound and an assist, though two turnovers kept the performance from being cleaner. It was a solid bench appearance that helped the Knicks spread the scoring around.
Jordan Clarkson: C+
Game Stats: 2 PTS, 2 STL, 1-2 FG, 11 MIN
Clarkson scored two points in 11 minutes, but his biggest contribution came on defense. He recorded two steals without committing a turnover and finished with a +3 plus-minus. The scoring was quiet, yet his defensive activity helped him make a positive contribution in a limited role.
OG Anunoby: C-
Game Stats: 6 PTS, 5 REB, 3 AST, 3 STL, 3 TOV, 2-10 FG, 0-5 3-PT FG, 2-2 FT, 31 MIN
OG Anunoby had a difficult night shooting the basketball, finishing with six points on 2-of-10 shooting and missing all five of his three-point attempts. He did contribute five rebounds and three assists, but his three steals were the biggest positive in an otherwise frustrating performance. The Knicks needed more offensive efficiency from one of their key two-way players.
Mohamed Diawara: C-
Game Stats: 6 PTS, 3 REB, 1 AST, 2-10 FG, 2-7 3-PT FG, 20 MIN
Diawara struggled to find his rhythm, scoring six points on 2-of-10 shooting. He did knock down two three-pointers, but his overall efficiency was poor, and he finished with just three rebounds and one assist. His five fouls also limited his ability to make a consistent impact. It was a tough outing, although his perimeter shooting offered a small positive.
Tyler Nickel: N/A
Game Stats: 2 PTS, 0-1 FG, 0-1 3-PT FG, 2-2 FT, 4 MIN
Nickel played just four minutes, scoring two points by making both free throws. There wasn’t enough court time to make a meaningful evaluation, but he converted his opportunities at the line.
James Wiseman: N/A
Game Stats: 2 PTS, 1 REB, 1 TOV, 1-1 FG, 4 MIN
Wiseman scored two points in four minutes, making his only field-goal attempt. He added a rebound but also committed a turnover. His role was brief, so there isn’t much to draw from his appearance.