In an electrifying NBA Cup matchup, the New York Knicks delivered an offensive masterclass to defeat the Miami Heat 140-132 at Madison Square Garden on November 15, 2025.
Towns Leads Knicks Offensive Charge
Karl-Anthony Towns dominated the court with 39 points, setting the tone early by scoring 31 points in the first half alone. The Knicks bigman added 11 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block during his 38 minutes of play, showcasing why he remains one of the league's most formidable forces.
Bench Unit Provides Historic Firepower
While Towns spearheaded the offense, he received tremendous support from the Knicks' second unit. Landry Shamet exploded for a career-high 36 points off the bench, while Jordan Clarkson contributed 25 points and Mikal Bridges added 15. Josh Hart recorded his first triple-double of the season with 12 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists.
The Knicks bench collectively produced 75 points, compensating for the absence of injured star Jalen Brunson, who missed the game with a Grade 1 ankle sprain. This remarkable bench performance helped New York set a season-high point total in the NBA Cup game.
Coach Brown Reacts to Offensive Showcase
Knicks head coach Mike Brown expressed his satisfaction with his team's performance in this Eastern Conference rivalry game. "Fun game for the fans, probably," Brown remarked post-game. "It was almost like a glorified pick-up game with good spacing."
Despite the victory, Miami put up a strong fight. Norman Powell scored a season-high 38 points for the Heat, while Jaime Jaquez Jr. contributed 23 points. Andrew Wiggins and Kel'el Ware each added 15 points, with Pelle Larsson scoring 14 and Davion Mitchell finishing with 11 points.
The result leaves both teams with 1-1 records in Group C play of the NBA Cup tournament, setting up an intriguing path forward in the competition.
