The New York Knicks delivered a commanding 116-95 victory over the Miami Heat on Monday night, extending Miami’s losing streak to eight games—the longest skid of head coach Erik Spoelstra’s tenure.
Mikal Bridges paced the Knicks with 28 points, while Josh Hart made history by recording his eighth triple-double of the season, tying Walt Frazier’s franchise record from 1968-69. Hart finished with 12 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists.
Karl-Anthony Towns added 23 points, including a game-changing stretch in the second quarter where he scored 15 straight points to turn the game around for the Knicks.
With the win, the Knicks (43-25) swept the season series against Miami 3-0, marking their first season sweep of the Heat since 1992-93.
New York fell behind early, trailing 12-0 and later 31-18 in the second quarter. But Towns’ scoring outburst flipped the momentum, giving the Knicks a 33-31 lead they never relinquished.
The game took a bizarre turn in the third quarter when a courtside delay occurred after comedian Tracy Morgan vomited near the court. The Knicks, leading by six at the time, came out of the unexpected pause with a dominant 24-6 run to take an 88-64 lead into the fourth quarter.
Duncan Robinson led Miami (29-39) with 22 points, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the team from suffering yet another blown lead. The Heat have now lost 18 games this season after leading by double digits.
This eight-game slide is the franchise’s longest since March 2008, the final season under Hall of Fame coach Pat Riley before Spoelstra took over.
Miami has consistently struggled to hold leads, blowing double-digit advantages in all three losses to the Knicks this season.
New York started slow after wrapping up a five-game West Coast trip late Saturday but found their rhythm behind Towns, Bridges, and Hart—despite playing without injured All-Star Jalen Brunson.
Game changing run by the Knicks, as the Heat lead 31-18 early in the second quarter, but Towns’ 15 straight points turned the tide. Hart’s eighth triple-double of the season tied Frazier’s 1968-69 record and moved him into fourth place in Knicks franchise history with 14 career triple-doubles.
The Heat will look to snap their skid when they host the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday, the first of a five-game homestand that will feature Jimmy Butler’s return to Miami on March 25. The Knicks, meanwhile, head to San Antonio to face Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs on Wednesday.
