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Oct 17, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) reacts after making a three point basket during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Jalen Brunson, Knicks Sting Hornets to End Preseason

Originally posted on New York Knicks on SI
By Geoff Magliocchetti | Last updated Oct 17, 2025 10:05 PM ET

The New York Knicks may have used Friday's preseason finale against the Charlotte Hornets as a de facto dress rehearsal, but Jalen Brunson was no doubt ready for his close-up.

Serving as one of two regular starters to take the Friday floor, Brunson resembled his old self with a dominant effort in a 113-108 victory over the Hornets that closed out the 2025 preseason at Madison Square Garden.

Brunson paced the Knicks early with 15 first period points, most of it earned through four three-pointers, en route to final total of 31 while dishing out six assists and playing deep into the fourth quarter. Fellow lingering starter Mikal Bridges had 16 tallies and was one of four Knicks, along with Brunson, to pull in a team-best seven rebounds.

Jalen Brunson Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Despite intending to play Friday's game as close to a regular season game as they possible could, the Knicks (4-1) held out OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, Mitchell Robinson, and Karl-Anthony Towns due to minor ailments. That allowed New York to have a little fun with its rotation and entries, evidenced by a starting five that featured Jordan Clarkson, Trey Jemison III and rookie Mohamed Diawara.

That trio took advantage of its extended time: Diawara and Jemison were a combined plus-32 during their time on the floor and each united with Bridges and Brunson for the team led in rebounds. Despite Tidjane Salaun keeping things close with 10 personal boards, the Knicks won the rebounding battle after losing it by 12 in their prior preseason showing against Washington. Clarkson lived up to his reputation as a high-volume shooter, notably notching eight points before the midway mark of the first.

Even with the game's shorthanded nature, the Knicks also offered hints of what the final roster could well look like: Tyler Kolek and Landry Shamet each received time off the bench over Pacome Dadiet and Garrison Mathews, perhaps playing for a few more minutes now that Malcolm Brogdon has retired. Shamet scored 11 on 3-of-5 shooting from deep while Kolek had six points, two boards, and an assist and steal each.

Bridges and Brunson, however, lived up to their respective reputations as the Knicks' headliners, helping stave off a Charlotte comeback after the Knicks led by as much as 17. The duo dazzled the MSG loyalists with highlight-worthy plays, with Brunson finding Jemison on a driving behind-the-back pass for two in the third while Bridges' high-flying dunk off the feed from Miles McBride helped permanently shift momentum in New York's favor.

Mikal Bridges Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Charlotte, also shorthanded with franchise faces LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller out, was paced by 21 points from Collin Sexton. The Hornets (2-3) will return to MSG in December and April after they face the Knicks in NBA Cup group play.

Things get real next Wednesday night when the Knicks open their regular season against the Cleveland Cavaliers (7 p.m. ET, MSG/ESPN).

This article first appeared on New York Knicks on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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