Andrew PetersJanuary 16, 2025
David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images
Even with star center Karl-Anthony Towns sidelined, the New York Knicks handled business on the road, dropping the Philadelphia 76ers in overtime 125-119 on Wednesday.
Towns missed Wednesday’s game after tests revealed he had a bone chip along with a sprained thumb. He luckily won’t need surgery, per the New York Post’s Stefan Bondy, but he couldn’t play against the 76ers due to swelling from the sprain.
The 76ers were dealing with a key injury of their own as star Joel Embiid missed another game due to a foot sprain.
With no Towns, Jalen Brunson carried the load for New York, putting up 38 points on an efficient 14-of-22 from the field. The star scored eight points in overtime to help the Knicks close things out. Mikal Bridges added 23 and Josh Hart was his usual productive self, logging a triple-double with 10 points, 17 boards and 12 assists.
After the win, fans praised the Knicks for getting it done without Towns.
Jim @NYGreenMachineThe Brunson Burner!! 🔥🔥🔥
Leak Finesse ➐ @OGLeakJalen Brunson so tuff
AL 🇩🇴🇨🇱 @AzurerioBrunson with the answer! Knicks take lead. #Knicks
ANTifreeze @ANTifreezeyoJalen Brunson is good at basketball
arj @hooparjJalen Brunson is an artist
meech2 @TakesEverybodyBrunson really owns philly man
Alexander Buford @ABuford17Jalen Brunson really different
🦉 @kat_wrldJalen Brunson and Precious Achuiwa in OT pic.twitter.com/Ik9nXutxEl
BG 🐐 @BurnedgoatThank you Jalen Brunson
Thank you Josh Hart
Thank you Precious Achiuwa
Thank you Tyrese Maxey
Jalen Brunson enthusiast @GothamCityMJosh Hart triple double alert 🚨 pic.twitter.com/ngWoW4Z1Ic
brunson burner @Tallox_25Josh hart has easily been our most consistent non all star this year
Kob @_kobejohnJosh Hart 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Steve Brudzynski @_BigSteve89Josh Hart with another Triple Double !
Brandon @BrandonOlshJosh Hart is the 3rd best player on this team and it’s not even close
With the gritty win, the Knicks improved to 27-15 on the year and remained in third place in the Eastern Conference. While New York would have liked to have left Philadelphia with a more comfortable win, playing in tough games will only help them down the stretch.
As for the Sixers, they dropped to 15-24 on the year as their struggles continued. While there’s still plenty of season left, Philadelphia will need to get things going soon to keep its playoff hopes alive.
