Knicks Snap Skid with Gritty Road Win over Red-Hot Blazers 123-114
There is a specific kind of heaviness that hangs over an NBA locker room when the losses start piling up. It’s not just the silence; it’s the weight of expectation turning into frustration. For the New York Knicks, entering the Moda Center on Sunday night, that weight was palpable. They were facing a Portland Trail Blazers team that hadn’t lost a game in 2026.
But basketball is rarely about what makes sense on paper. In a game that felt like a desperate exhale for New York, the Knicks dug deep to pull off a 123-114 victory, snapping Portland’s five-game winning streak and breathing some much-needed life back into their season.
Brunson Shoulders the Load for the Knicks
When head coach Mike Brown spoke before the game about needing a secondary ball-handler to step up, he wasn’t minimizing Jalen Brunson’s role—he was highlighting just how much pressure is on the point guard. Once again, when the offense stagnated, it was Brunson who had to act as the engine.
Brunson finished with a team-high 26 points on efficient 10-of-19 shooting, dishing out 8 assists. But it wasn’t just the raw numbers; it was the timing. Every time Portland threatened to turn a narrow deficit into a lead—specifically during a tense third quarter where the Blazers cut the lead to single digits—Brunson had an answer. Whether it was a midrange jumper to calm the waters or finding Mikal Bridges for a cutting layup, Brunson controlled the tempo of a game that could have easily spiraled away from a fragile Knicks squad.
With Josh Hart battling through a sprained ankle and the rotation thinned by injuries, Brunson didn’t just play point guard; he played stabilizer.
A Tale of Two Trajectories
The narrative coming into Sunday was clear: The Trail Blazers were the team of the moment. Riding a five-game win streak since the calendar turned to 2026, Portland looked like a team finally figuring out its identity under coach Tiago Splitter. They were confident, aggressive, and playing at home.
Conversely, the Knicks looked lost. They hadn’t beaten a team with a winning record since Christmas.
That’s what makes this road win so significant. It wasn’t a blowout against a tanking team; it was a contested, physical battle against a confident opponent. Portland got a massive performance from Deni Avdija, who torched the Knicks for 25 points, and Shaedon Sharpe, who added 22. The Blazers were relentless, attacking the rim and getting to the line.
Yet, New York refused to fold. In the fourth quarter, where the Knicks have struggled to close out games during this recent slump, they outscored Portland 33-29. They matched Portland’s energy and executed down the stretch, something that has been sorely missing from their game tape over the last two weeks.
The Supporting Cast Steps Up
While Brunson was the catalyst, he wasn’t a solo act. The Knicks needed grit, and they got it from the usual suspects. Despite the injury cloud, Josh Hart was, as always, the heartbeat of the hustle plays. His ability to stay on the floor and contribute winning plays—deflections, rebounds in traffic, and pushing the pace—cannot be overstated.
Karl-Anthony Towns provided the anchor in the middle. While his scoring numbers weren’t astronomical, his presence on the glass was vital against a long Portland frontcourt. Securing 11 rebounds (including 3 vital offensive boards), Towns ensured that the Knicks limited Portland’s second-chance opportunities in crunch time.
What This Means for the Knicks
One win doesn’t fix a season, nor does it completely erase the sting of a 1-5 stretch. However, winning in the NBA is often about momentum management. Stopping the bleeding before a “slump” turns into a “freefall” is the hallmark of a playoff team.
By taking down a surging Blazers team on their home floor, the Knicks proved—mostly to themselves—that they still have the defensive intensity and offensive execution to beat quality opponents. They move to 25-14, keeping them firmly in the mix near the top of the Atlantic Division.
The road doesn’t get easier from here, but the plane ride to the next city will certainly feel a lot lighter. For the first time in 2026, the Knicks looked like the Knicks again.
