NEW YORK, NY — The New York Knicks turned in one of their ugliest defensive performances of the season and still found a way to win.
Behind clutch shot-making, timely defense, and a breakout performance from rookie Mohamed Diawara, the Knicks rallied late Monday night to defeat the New Orleans Pelicans, 130–125, at the Smoothie King Center.
Despite allowing 75 points in the first half and trailing for most of the affair, New York leaned on its depth, composure, and late-game execution to improve to 23–9 on the season. Diawara, making his second straight start, provided an immediate spark. The 20-year-old scored a career-high 18 points in just under 18 minutes, including 13 in the first quarter, while shooting a perfect 4-for-4 from three-point range.
His early production prevented the game from getting out of hand as New Orleans erupted behind Saddiq Bey, who scored 23 points in the opening quarter alone.
“The more he’s out on the floor, the more he’s comfortable,” Knicks head coach Mike Brown said of Diawara. “He’s learning on the fly, and he’s not afraid of the moment.”
New York struggled defensively throughout the first three quarters, particularly without center Mitchell Robinson, who was held out for load management. Zion Williamson repeatedly attacked the paint, finishing with 32 points on 11-of-16 shooting, while Jordan Poole and Trey Murphy III combined for 47 of New Orleans’ points.
At halftime, the Pelicans led 75–72 after shooting 45.8 percent from the field, with New York forced to play extended stretches without Karl-Anthony Towns due to foul trouble, but the fourth quarter told a different story.
OG Anunoby, finishing with 23 points, 11 rebounds, and three steals, took over defensively. On top of his 16 points and seven boards in the first half, his activity on the glass and ability to generate turnovers fueled a Knicks run that finally flipped the game in the fourth.
“Our Defensive Player of the Game just put his footprint on both ends,” Brown said. “Another All-Star of ours, OG Anunoby. I don’t know who can guard OG on a closeout. Offensively huge, huge on the glass—but just as importantly, our DPOG.”
Miles McBride, returning after missing time with injury, delivered the decisive moments. He buried a go-ahead three and followed it with a crucial offensive rebound on a missed Jalen Brunson shot, kicking the ball back out to set up another New York basket.
Brunson closed with 28 points and 10 assists, calmly steering the offense in the final minutes as the Knicks sealed the win at the free-throw line.
“It wasn’t pretty,” Brown admitted. “But our guys stayed together. They kept fighting.”
Brown’s trust in his young role players has paid dividends in his first season in the Big Apple with several showing clear growth and maturity, which has provided the Knicks with reliable depth despite injuries. Tyler Kolek has emerged as more than just a serviceable backup point guard behind Brunson.
Entering the preseason, Malcolm Brogdon was widely expected to fill that role, but his retirement forced New York to search for another option. Brown and the Knicks found that answer in Kolek, who has responded with poise and confidence when called upon.
McBride has continued to blossom into a dependable two-way guard, capable of defending at a high level while also serving as a legitimate threat from beyond the arc. Diawara has been one of the team’s biggest surprises. Known primarily for his defensive impact, the former second round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft out of France, has shown impressive confidence and consistency from downtown, making just the third start of his young NBA career while contributing meaningful minutes for a team with championship aspirations.
In his third-career NBA start Monday night vs. the Pelicans, Knicks rookie Mohamed Diawara recorded 18 points, a career-high, and was 4-4 from three-point range – Image Credit: NBA
The Pelicans had a chance to respond late but faltered on execution, while New York’s defense finally held.
The Knicks now head into a matchup with the San Antonio Sports on Wednesday to close out 2025, carrying momentum and another reminder that even on nights when the defense falters, they have the depth and resolve to win.
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