New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby, center, shoots over Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson as guard Jamal Murray covers in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Brunson had 23 points to go with his career-best assist performance. The Knicks' 45 assists matched the single-game team record set against Cleveland on Nov. 24, 1979.
New York led by 12 after the first, 23 at halftime and by many as 30 points on a night the team shot a sizzling 60.9% from the floor. The starters for the Knicks played late in the game despite the large lead.
Karl-Anthony Towns was a game-time decision with a sore calf, but came up big with 30 points and 15 rebounds.
Reserve Russell Westbrook had 27 points and Nikola Jokic finished with 22 points along with a season-low seven rebounds for Denver.
Takeaways
Knicks: Towns continued to torment the Nuggets, hitting 12 of 15 shots from the field. He was with the Minnesota Timberwolves last season when they eliminated the Nuggets in the second round of the playoffs. The Knicks picked him up as part of a blockbuster trade on Oct. 2.
Nuggets: Jokic and the Nuggets dropped to a surprising 5-4 at home this season. The team tied for the second-best home mark last season at 33-8.
Key moment
Brunson had a run in the first quarter where he scored nine straight points for the Knicks. He outscored the Nuggets by a 9-2 margin to break open the game.
Key stat
Anunoby and Brunson were a combined 9 of 12 from 3-point range. The Knicks were 19 of 36 as a team.
Up next
The Knicks play at Dallas on Wednesday night, while the Nuggets begin a two-game trip the same night in Utah.
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns, right, shoots over Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, right, looks to pass the ball as New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, front, drives to the rim past Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, center, passes the ball as he drives between Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, and guard Christian Braun in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby drives past Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., right, looks to pass the ball as New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets guard Julian Strawther, center, loses control of the ball while driving between New York Knicks center Jericho Sims, left, and forward OG Anunoby in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
