Jalen Brunson poured in 35 points, Josh Hart added 21, and the New York Knicks punched their ticket to the NBA Cup semifinals for the first time with a 117–101 victory over the slumping Toronto Raptors on Tuesday night.
Karl-Anthony Towns returned from a one-game absence to post 14 points and 16 rebounds, helping New York set up a semifinal showdown with Orlando on Saturday in Las Vegas. The Magic advanced earlier in the day with a win over Miami.
Mikal Bridges scored 15, while OG Anunoby added 13 in his return to Toronto.
The Knicks, the only team to reach the quarterfinals in all three editions of the NBA Cup, finally broke through after losing their previous two attempts by a combined 32 points. They improved to 11–4 all-time in tournament play.
Brunson was unstoppable early, scoring 26 in the first half, his highest-scoring half of the season.
Raptors’ Slide Continues
Brandon Ingram led Toronto with 31 points, and Jamal Shead added a career-high 18, but it wasn’t enough as the Raptors dropped their fourth straight, all at home.
Scottie Barnes and Ja’Kobe Walter finished with 13 apiece, while Jakob Poeltl chipped in 10.
Toronto had gone 4–0 in group play and 13–1 overall during that stretch, but has since fallen to 1–6.
After a strong first quarter from Ingram (17 points), the Raptors unraveled in the second, shooting just 5-for-21 and being outscored 34–13. New York took a 69–52 lead into halftime and never looked back.
Toronto was also shorthanded:
-
Immanuel Quickley missed the game due to illness.
-
RJ Barrett sat out his ninth straight game with a right knee sprain.
Up Next
-
Knicks: Face Orlando in the NBA Cup semifinals Saturday in Las Vegas.
-
Raptors: Visit Miami on Monday.
