Sports

Knicks dominate Magic 121-106, but Magic still make it into NBA Cup Semi’s

NEW YORK — Turnovers proved costly for the Orlando Magic as the New York Knicks dominated their way to a 121-106 victory at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night.

Karl-Anthony Towns led the Knicks with 23 points and 15 rebounds, while Jalen Brunson contributed 21 points. The win secured New York’s place in the NBA Cup quarterfinals and snapped Orlando’s six-game winning streak.

Frans Wagner of the Orlando Magic battles against the New York Knicks on December 3, 2024 at Madison Square Garden. Photo courtesy of The Orlando Magic

Orlando started strong, jumping out to a 14-6 lead behind three quick three-pointers from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. However, New York responded with an 11-0 run and seized control with an 18-4 surge to close the first quarter. The Knicks shot a blistering 67% in the opening frame, ending the period with a 36-27 lead.

Turnovers plagued the Magic from the start, with nine first-half giveaways leading to 18 points for the Knicks. Orlando also struggled from beyond the arc, connecting on just 5-of-18 attempts in the first half. Franz Wagner carried the offensive load for the Magic, tallying 20 first-half points despite facing consistent defensive pressure.

Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley didn’t mince words about the root cause of the defeat.

“Sixteen turnovers for 32 points. That’s what happened,” said Mosley. “We coughed it up, gave them easy baskets. It’s hard to win a game when you turn the ball over 16 times for 32 points. You’re just giving points away. They got all easy baskets in those situations.”

Miles Bridges capped a dominant first half for New York with a deep buzzer-beater, pushing the Knicks’ lead to 67-48 at the break. Four Knicks starters were in double figures by halftime, with Towns and Brunson leading the charge.

Outside of Franz Wagner’s game-high 30 points, his brother Moritz Wagner chipped in 20, while Jalen Suggs added 14 and Cole Anthony scored 10. Orlando won the battle in the paint 58-48 but couldn’t overcome poor three-point shooting (27%) or their turnover woes.

The Knicks extended their lead to 31 in the third quarter, with Orlando’s undermanned squad—missing Paolo Banchero, Gary Harris, and late scratch Goga Bitadze—unable to mount a comeback.

Despite the deficit, the Magic showed fight in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Knicks 31-15.

With the win, the Knicks completed a perfect 4-0 NBA Cup pool play record. Josh Hart notched his eighth triple-double in a Knicks uniform with 11 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists.

Orlando’s loss wasn’t without silver linings: the Magic (15-9) secured the East’s wild-card spot via point-differential tiebreakers. They will face the Milwaukee Bucks in the quarterfinals, while the Knicks prepare for their next NBA Cup opponent.

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