In a thrilling early-season showdown, the New York Knicks, led by Karl-Anthony Towns, stormed back in the second half to beat the Miami Heat 116-107 on Wednesday night. The game was marked by Towns’ stellar 44-point, 13-rebound performance, helping the Knicks overcome a 13-point deficit in the third quarter and silencing a spirited Miami crowd.
Towns’ 44 points marked the fourth-highest total for a Knicks player against the Heat. Jamal Crawford’s 52-point game in 2007 remains the record, followed by Carmelo Anthony’s 50-point display in 2013 and RJ Barrett’s 46-point performance in 2022. Towns was nearly unstoppable on the night, converting 17 of his 25 attempts from the field and sinking four of his five three-point shots. His dominance was especially critical in the first half, where he posted 24 points to keep New York within striking distance.
Alongside Towns, Jalen Brunson came alive in the second half, scoring 18 of his 22 points after halftime, and fueling the Knicks’ offensive surge. Mikal Bridges contributed with a steady 17 points, while OG Anunoby added 11, and Josh Hart chipped in a double-double with 10 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists.
Miami’s offense was spearheaded by Tyler Herro, who tallied 34 points, including a blistering 8-for-12 from beyond the arc. However, Herro’s effort alone couldn’t contain the Knicks’ comeback. Terry Rozier scored 16 points, while Jimmy Butler had 15, Bam Adebayo managed 11, and Nikola Jovic added 10. Kevin Love remained absent for Miami, missing his fourth consecutive game due to personal reasons.
The defining moment came late in the third quarter. Trailing 70-57, the Knicks sparked an electrifying 30-10 run, flipping the script and capturing an 87-80 lead heading into the fourth. The momentum swung heavily in New York’s favor as Miami continued to struggle in the third quarter—a recurring theme in their home games this season. Over their three games, opponents have outscored the Heat 100-54 in the third, with Miami shooting just 27% from the field compared to their opponents’ 54%.
Knicks: Towns demonstrated his scoring versatility, efficiently shooting 17-for-25 from the floor and nailing 4-of-5 from three-point range. His early offensive output set the tone and kept New York in contention until their third-quarter run.
Heat: Struggles continue for Miami’s primary scorers in first quarters, as Butler and Adebayo combined for just 2-for-13 in opening periods across the season. Last year, they were Miami’s leaders in first-quarter field goals, but they’ve started this season slowly, putting added pressure on their team to play from behind.
The Knicks continue their four-game road trip with a stop in Detroit on Friday night. Meanwhile, the Heat will head to Mexico City for a Saturday night showdown against the Washington Wizards, hoping to find their stride on neutral ground and reverse their early third-quarter woes.
