OG Anunoby's late bucket helps Knicks escape Pelicans

Field Level Media|published: Mon 29th December, 23:17 2025

Dec 29, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; h545 goes for a steal against New York Knicks forward/guard Og Anunoby (8) during the first half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

OG Anunoby scored the go-ahead basket on a dunk with 1:48 left Monday night for the visiting New York Knicks, who overcame a 10-point third-quarter deficit to edge the New Orleans Pelicans 130-125.

With the Knicks down 121-120, Anunoby dribbled around Zion Williamson, drove into the lane past Derik Queen and delivered an emphatic one-handed dunk to provide the fifth and final lead change of a back-and-forth final quarter.

Jordan Poole missed a 3-pointer on the Pelicans' next possession, after which Jalen Brunson also misfired on a 3-pointer. But Miles McBride grabbed the rebound and dished to Brunson, who hit a floater to extend the Knicks' lead to 124-121.

Williamson answered with a pair of free throws after being fouled by Anunoby before Brunson hit a driving layup. Williamson then drained a leaner to pull the Pelicans within one again before McBride, playing his first game since Dec. 7, sank two free throws with 16 seconds left.

Poole tried drawing a foul on McBride before hoisting an off-balanced 3-pointer that hit the top of the backboard, McBride iced the win with two free throws with six seconds left as the Knicks matched their biggest lead of the game.

Brunson (28 points, 10 assists), Anunoby (23 points, 11 rebounds) and Karl-Anthony Towns (12 points, 12 rebounds) all had double-doubles for the Knicks, who are 11-3 this month, including their NBA Cup title game win over the San Antonio Spurs.

Towns' 3-pointer with 7:42 left gave the Knicks their first lead since the first quarter.

Mohamed Diawara had a career-high 18 points while McBride, who was sidelined with an ankle injury, added 14 points off the bench.

Williamson scored a season-high 32 points while Saddiq Bey had 26 points -- including 23 in the first quarter -- for the Pelicans, who have lost four straight following a five-game winning streak.

Poole also scored 26 points off the bench while Trey Murphy III finished with 21 points, including the 3-pointer that gave New Orleans its biggest lead at 93-83 with 6:41 left in the third.

--Field Level Media

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