Towns, Shamet Erupt in Knicks 140-132 Shootout Over Heat

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NEW YORK, NY — Injuries were expected to derail the New York Knicks on Friday night, but instead, they fueled an offensive inferno. Playing without All-Star guard Jalen Brunson and losing OG Anunoby early, the Knicks relied on a big performance from Karl-Anthony Towns and a career night from reserve Landry Shamet to win an explosive 140-132 shootout against the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden.

The victory, which sets the record for the most total points ever scored in a Heat-Knicks matchup, also evens both teams’ records in the competitive NBA Cup East Group C at 1-1.

KAT’s First-Half Takeover and Shamet’s Bench Bomb

The Knicks’ victory was defined by two massive scoring performances that combined for 75 points:

Karl-Anthony Towns (39 Points, 11 Rebounds): Towns put on a dominant offensive display, scoring 31 of his 39 points in the first half to power the Knicks. His barrage was the catalyst for a decisive 17-6 run that spanned the final minutes of the second quarter, turning a one-point deficit into a 78-68 halftime lead that New York never relinquished. Towns also added 11 rebounds for his eighth consecutive double-double.
Landry Shamet (Career-High 36 Points): Stepping up in their absence, Shamet came off the bench and delivered the game of his life, pouring in a career-high 36 points. His output was the most points scored by a reserve in the NBA this season and helped the Knicks’ bench outscore the Heat’s reserves by a staggering 75-39 margin.

Hart Posts a Triple-Double in Shorthanded Effort

Despite the early adversity—losing defensive stalwart OG Anunoby after just two minutes due to a left hamstring strain, and playing without Jalen Brunson (right ankle injury)—the Knicks showcased remarkable depth:

Josh Hart’s Versatility: Guard Josh Hart filled the stat sheet masterfully, recording his first regular-season triple-double since March 25th with 12 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists.
Team Scoring: Jordan Clarkson (25 points) and Mikal Bridges (15 points) also posted strong offensive numbers as the Knicks finished the night with a season-high 140 points.

Powell’s Hot Hand Not Enough for Heat

The Miami Heat, playing without star center Bam Adebayo, put up a valiant offensive fight but ultimately succumbed to the Knicks’ superior interior presence and rebounding struggles.

Norman Powell’s Season High: Guard Norman Powell led the Heat with a season-high 38 points, including eight successful three-pointers, and kept Miami within striking distance for much of the night.
Rebounding Woes: The Heat were crushed on the glass, surrendering 20 offensive rebounds that led to 20 crucial second-chance points for New York. Knicks center Mitchell Robinson alone snagged eight offensive boards in just 14 minutes.
Notable Performances: Jaime Jaquez Jr. added 23 points off the bench, while Kel’el Ware (15 points, 10 rebounds) and Davion Mitchell (11 points, 11 assists) both recorded double-doubles.

The Knicks’ explosive victory closes out their seven-game homestand with a 6-1 record, and they will look to carry this offensive momentum into their next meeting with the Heat in Miami on Monday.