Knicks Mop Up Sloppy, 3-Pt Shooting Hornets. NY 119 Charlotte 104

December 4, 2025 LouV 2025-26 0

The Knicks took an early 20-pt lead against the Hornets, who were playing the sloppiest basketball ever seen on an NBA court, then withstood a 3-pt barrage that got Charlotte back into the game — then took another big lead and withstood another Charlotte 3-pt barrage in the 4th — before finally mopping the floor for an easy 119-104 win on a Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden.

It is amazing what the 3-pt shot means in today’s NBA. Charlotte looked like a bad high school team in the 1st quarter — turning the ball over in the most slap-stick comedy ways, over and over again as the Knicks jumped out to a 20-pt lead. And then just like that — Charlotte went on a 3-pt fueled run by LaMelo Ball (34 pts, 5-13 from 3), Liam McNeeley, Kon Knueppel, and Sion James — and they were within 3 points late in the 2nd quarter.

NY regained command in the 3rd and 4th — pushing the lead back to 22. But again LaMelo Ball led a 3-pt barrage that pulled Charlotte within 8 with 4:27 left, before the Knicks finally put the game away.

Karl-Anthony Towns led NY with 35 pts on 13-23 shooting (3-7 from 3) with 18 rebounds and 5 assists. Jalen Brunson added 26 pts; Mikal Bridges (16 pts on 7-14 shooting, 2-7 from 3) got the better of his counterpart Miles Bridges (8 pts on 3-12 shooting, 0-5 from 3); and Miles McBride and Josh Hart had 14 pts each. Tyler Kolek had another great game off the bench with slick passes and scores — he had 6 pts on 2-5 shooting (2-3 from 3) with 5 assists in 13 minutes.

Ariel Hukporti played 13 minutes of impactful ball off the bench — and in fact was named Defensive Player of the game by Knick Coach Mike Brown.

“Our defensive player of the game was Hukporti,” said Brown afterwards. “And he had no defensive rebounds and fouled out. His impact was huge. There were a couple of blocks, 50-50 balls; he went vertical a couple of times and changed shots in the paint. I’m happy for him and this is a guy who hasn’t played much in a while.”

NY improves to 14-7; Charlotte drops to 6-16.

1. Knicks Jump Out to 20-Pt Lead vs SLOPPY Hornets

The Knicks jumped out to a 15 point lead in the 1st quarter as Charlotte was playing some of the worst basketball ever seen on an NBA court — turnover after turnover like a slapstick comedy.

Charlotte has a rookie coach in Charles Lee, who formerly was an assistant coach in Milwaukee and Boston.

Meanwhile Karl-Anthony Towns was doing what he pleased against the small Charlotte front line. The KAT domination, and some of the slapstick turnovers by Charlotte can be seen in this video:

2. Hornets Get Back within 3 on 3-Pt Fueled Run

Charlotte continued to play like a bad high school team to start the 2nd, and the Knicks continued to roll — up 41-21 with 7:46 left in quarter.

And then just like that Charlotte started hitting the 3 ball — and with some LaMelo Ball drives got right back into the game.

Liam McNeely made a drive, Ball made 2 free throws, Ryan Kalkbrenner dunked inside — Tyler Kolek answered with a 3 — but Kalkbrenner scored on a drive, Ball hit a 3, and Kneuppel hit a 3 and Charlotte was within 44-35. A 14-2 run.

 

Charlotte kept coming: Tidjane Salaun hit a 3, Sion James hit 3 free throws after being fouled on a 3, and Knueppel hit a couple of drives and Charlotte was within 50-47.

Brunson Buzzer-Beater Gives NY 6-Pt Cushion at Half

Jalen Brunson hit a desperation heave 30-footer at the buzzer to give NY a 6-pt cushion at the half, 53-47.

3. Knicks Go Back Up by 15 in 3rd

NY re-asserted their dominance in the 3rd quarter. KAT went back to work and Mikal Bridges joined him with slick drives and a 3. Brunson and Hart joined in and NY rebuilt a 15-pt lead after 3.

4. Knicks Up 22 with 9 Minutes Left

Tyler Kolek and Ariel Hukporti starred at the end of the 3rd and into the 4th. Kolek was orchestrating the offense with slick passes and hitting his shot. Hukporti was active inside — blocking a LaMelo Ball drive, grabbing an offensive rebound that led to a Jordan Clarkson score, and more.

Bridges hit a 3, and KAT continued to get buckets inside and NY ran their lead to 22 pts at 97-75 with 9 minutes left.

5. Another 3-pt Run Pulls Hornets within 8 with 5:56 Left

And then just like that the Hornets made another run — led by LaMelo Ball. A Ball drive-and-1 and a 3 dented the lead. Sion James hit a 3, and Ball hit back-to-back 3’s — the second one a 3-and-1 — and Charlotte was within 11 at 102-91.

Tidjane Salaun dunked inside then hit a 3 and it was 104-96 NY with 4:27 left.

6. Knicks Finish It Up

But the Knicks finally put it out of reach on a Miles McBride 3 and a Jalen Brunson drive-and-1 for a 110-96 lead with 3:43 left.

A Josh Hart steal and pass to KAT for an ahead-of-the-field reverse slam put a cap to the evening — giving NY a 116-100 lead with 1:36 left and the old ballgame.

The Boxscore

https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401810183

 

 

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