Jalen Brunson scored 11 of his game-high 31 points over the final five minutes Friday afternoon for the visiting New York Knicks, who came back to edge the Charlotte Hornets 99-98 in NBA Cup Group A action.
Karl-Anthony Towns (19 points, 12 rebounds) and Josh Hart (13 points, 12 rebounds) each posted a double-double for the Knicks, who trailed by 10 points in the first quarter and by six points in the fourth before improving to 3-0 in Group A play.
Miles McBride added 14 points off the bench for New York, which is slated to complete Group A play Tuesday against the Orlando Magic. The Magic are 2-0 in Group A entering Friday’s game against the Brooklyn Nets.
The Hornets, who were without leading scorer LaMelo Ball due to a left calf injury Friday, fell to 0-3 in Group A action. Brandon Miller scored 20 points for Charlotte while Josh Green (15 points), Tidjane Salaun (14 points) and reserve KJ Simpson (11 points) also got into double figures.
The Knicks led just four times in the first three quarters before the Hornets opened the fourth on an 11-5 run to extend their lead to 82-76 on Nick Smith Jr.’s 3-pointer with 9:15 left. But Charlotte missed its next six shots as New York began inching back.
Brunson had nine points — including the go-ahead jumper with 4:48 left — during a 16-5 run that put the Knicks up 96-90 with 2:17 left.
Moussa Diabate was fouled by Brunson as he dunked with 48 seconds remaining but failed to convert the old-fashioned 3-point play. Brunson then fouled Cody Martin on the rebound, but the Hornets’ forward split a pair of free throws.
Brunson missed a floater on the Knicks’ next possession, after which Martin missed a corner 3-pointer. Brunson was 3-of-4 from the line over the final 14 seconds.
The Hornets had the ball under their basket with three seconds left, but Green’s 3-pointer circled the rim several times and didn’t go through the basket until after time expired.