The New York Knicks walked out of New Orleans with a hard-earned 130-125 win over the Pelicans, a result that marks their third straight victory and pushes their record to 23-9. It was fast. It was tense. And it was the kind of road test that shows what travels in this league: a steady point guard, a rugged wing, and timely shot-making.

Jalen Brunson set the tone with 28 points and 10 assists, including five threes that broke pockets of noise inside the arena. OG Anunoby was everywhere, stacking 23 points, 11 rebounds, and three steals in a two-way showcase. On the other side, Zion Williamson bulldozed his way to 32 points and did everything he could to pull the Pelicans (now 8-26) across the line. The Knicks just had more answers late.

Brunson’s calm, New York’s edge

Brunson’s game looked simple, and that is his magic. He controlled pace, he found shooters, and when the Pelicans loaded up, he made the extra read. The five three-pointers mattered as much as the 10 assists. They stretched the floor and made New Orleans pay for crowding the ball. When a game gets tight, a team needs a guard who won’t rush. Brunson didn’t.

His 28 points were not loud, but they were loud enough. Little pull-ups. Spot-up threes. A handful of drives that forced help. Each touch slowed the noise and sped up the Knicks’ decisions. That’s how you win a close road game in December, when legs are tired and possessions shrink.

“Brunson looked like the calmest guy in the building—again.”

OG Anunoby’s two-way punch changes the math

Anunoby’s line jumps off the page because it mixes everything: 23 points, 11 boards, three steals. He scored without hijacking the ball. He cleaned the glass to end Pelicans trips. And those steals? They cut off New Orleans runs before they could swell. His hands were quick, his feet were firm, and he turned defense into easy offense just when the Knicks needed it most.

On nights like this, Anunoby is the silent engine. The extra rebound becomes a second-chance three. The deflection becomes a layup. The strong finish at the rim quiets a crowd. He gave the Knicks margin for error when Williamson put his head down and attacked.

“OG’s defense didn’t just stop plays—it started ours.”

Zion brought the storm, but needed more help

Williamson’s 32 points came in waves. He got to his spots, lived in the paint, and kept the Pelicans within striking distance. He also grabbed five rebounds and swiped two steals, a reminder that he can tilt a game on both ends. It just wasn’t enough against a Knicks team that kept its poise and matched every surge with a steady counter.

New Orleans has a star who can carry the load. The challenge is finding steady support around him for four full quarters. The record shows how tough that has been so far this season.

“Zion scored at will. The Knicks made the right plays at will.”

Knicks vs Pelicans: shot-making and small margins

Games like this are decided by a handful of moments. A clean catch-and-shoot three. A strong defensive board. A smart extra pass. The Knicks hit those notes more often. Brunson’s five threes mattered because they came with timing. Anunoby’s steals mattered because they showed up right when New Orleans started to build a run.

That’s the lesson here. You don’t need a flood of highlights to define a win. You need little choices that keep the game under control. New York did that, start to finish.

What the win means for New York

The result is simple and strong: 23-9 and a third straight victory. The Knicks are building habits that travel: defend, rebound, and trust the guard with the ball. On the road, those traits are gold. This was also a late-game rep that matters, because close wins build belief for the next one.

Brunson’s leadership and Anunoby’s two-way edge give the Knicks a clear identity. One sets the table. The other flips the possession game. Together, they make New York hard to shake, even when a force like Williamson is charging downhill.

New Orleans’ focus from here

The Pelicans fall to 8-26, but they showed fight. Williamson led, the building got loud, and the game was there in the final minutes. The next step is turning those pushes into wins. That means more clean looks off Zion drives and more stops after made baskets. The pieces are there; the timing and trust must catch up.

Box-score pillars that told the story

• Jalen Brunson: 28 points, 10 assists, five made threes, steady late-game control.
• OG Anunoby: 23 points, 11 rebounds, three steals, nonstop energy on both ends.
• Zion Williamson: 32 points, five rebounds, two steals, constant pressure at the rim.
• Final: Knicks 130, Pelicans 125; New York now 23-9; New Orleans 8-26.

Don’t miss the highlights

If you want a quick feel for how this one swung, watch the official highlights. You’ll see Brunson’s balance, Anunoby’s activity, and Williamson powering to the cup. It was fast and fun, and it carried real weight for New York’s momentum.

Final word

Road wins in the NBA do not come easy. The Knicks earned this one by trusting their stars to be stars and trusting the little things to decide the game. Brunson’s poise and Anunoby’s force gave New York just enough edge to outlast Williamson’s big night. That’s a winning mix in December, and it’s a blueprint they can keep using.