Knicks' starters dominate Hornets early in rout

Jalen Brunson scored 33 points as part of New York's efficient offense in Wednesday night's 129-101 romp past the host Charlotte Hornets.

Josh Hart poured in 22 points, Karl-Anthony Towns and Miles McBride each posted 19 and Mikal Bridges had 18 as the Knicks finished a five-game road stretch with a 3-2 mark.

Brunson was 14-for-28 from the field with two 3-pointers. Hart shot 8-for-13, including 4-for-6 on 3-pointers, to go with a team-high seven assists. McBride made all five of his 3-point attempts. Bridges was 8-for-11 from the floor. Towns collected 10 rebounds.

New York held a 98-75 lead through three quarters, with Brunson up to 31 points.

The result eliminated Charlotte from NBA Cup contention. The Hornets have lost seven games in a row, hurt by Wednesday's 41.2% shooting (35 of 85) from the field and 17 turnovers.

Brandon Miller led the Hornets with 18 points, Miles Bridges posted 17, Collin Sexton had 15 points off the bench, reserve Tre Mann scored nine of his 15 points in the first half and starter LaMelo Ball had 11 points.

It was an off night for Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel, who finished with six points on 2-for-12 shooting (0-for-7 on 3-pointers).

Charlotte was 13-for-43 (30.2%) on 3-point attempts. The Knicks made the same number of 3-pointers but needed only 25 attempts to do so.

All five New York starters reached double-figure point totals in the first half on the way to a 72-47 lead courtesy of 63.6% shooting (28 of 44) from the field and 10-for-10 marksmanship on free throws.

Charlotte's starters shot 4-for-16 on first-half 3-point attempts and that group didn't attempt a free throw.

The Knicks shot 75% from the field in the first quarter, which ended with them holding a 37-31 lead. The Hornets had only two baskets in the first five minutes of the second quarter as the Knicks pulled away.