Jalen Brunson scores 30 to carry Knicks past Rockets

Jalen Brunson scored 30 points in his return from a calf injury Wednesday night for the host New York Knicks, who pulled away in the second half of a 109-94 win over the Houston Rockets.

Brunson, who missed the previous two games, added seven assists for the Knicks, who have won seven of nine.

Julius Randle led all scorers with 31 points as the Knicks earned their eighth straight win over the Rockets dating back to March 2, 2020. Josh Hart (10 points, 14 rebounds) posted a double-double off the bench while OG Anunoby scored 15 points and reserve Quentin Grimes added 11 points.

Fred VanVleet (24 points, 12 assists) and Alperen Sengun (18 points, 10 rebounds) each recorded a double-double for the Rockets, who finished 1-5 on a season-long six-game road trip and fell to 4-15 away from home. Only the San Antonio Spurs (4-17) have a worse road record among Western Conference teams.

Jalen Green finished with 15 points while Dillon Brooks and Jabari Smith Jr. each had 11 points.

The teams were separated by no more than three points in the first quarter and the Knicks had a brief seven-point lead in the second, which ended with the hosts clinging to a 48-46 lead after Sengun missed a 3-pointer just before the buzzer.

VanVleet scored five straight points to pull the Rockets within 54-53 with 9:49 left before Anunoby hit consecutive 3-pointers to begin the decisive 20-9 run for the Knicks, who took their first double-digit lead at 67-57 on Randle's 3-pointer with 7:40 left.

The Knicks ended the third with a 77-69 lead. Hart opened the fourth with a layup and the Rockets got within single digits just once more at 82-73 on a layup by Amen Thompson with 9:12 left. New York was never threatened thereafter and opened its biggest lead at 109-89 on Randle's jumper with 57.8 seconds left.

—Field Level Media