OK-sweep; Knicks impress but throttled by Thunder (Highlights)

New York (48-27) thus missed out on another opportunity to clinch a 2026 playoff berth and has lost consecutive games for the first time since March 8-9.

Jalen Brunson scored 32, putting up a triple-double in a Knicks uniform for the 100th time in his career, while Karl-Anthony Towns pulled in 18 rebounds next to 15 points. A majority of the latter’s scoring came during a 13-3 run in the earlier stages of the fourth quarter, which turned an Oklahoma City runaway attempt into a one-point game.

From there, however, reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander initiated a takeover, scoring eight consecutive points to initiate a 15-4 run that ran into the penultimate minute. Gilgeous-Alexander lived up to all sides of his reputation, scoring a third of his 30 points in the final period while getting just under half of those tallies at the foul line (13-of-16 overall, one fewer attempt than the entire Knicks team accumulated).

Having missed out on another opportunity to earn a statement victory on a primetime stage, the Knicks endured a painful evening in more ways than one.

Top reserve McBride took the floor for the first time in just over two months after a core muscle procedure and immediately made an impact with a rejection of Gilgeous-Alexander. But he played only 10 minutes in his return to action, as he was forced to the locker room after coming up limp following a loose ball encounter with Lu Dort and Jared McCain. McBride was listed as doubtful for re-entry and did not return.

Though Oklahoma City (59-16) eventually generated significant scoreboard distance—thanks in part to a noticeable advantage in free throw attempts—the Knicks held their own and then some.

They trailed only by three after the opening period despite shooting only 28 percent from the floor, handling one of their few undeniable advantages on the glass. Despite Towns being limited to two (sunk) shooting attempts, the Timberwolves handled business from the outside in ways they didn’t while Oklahoma City worked a favorable whistle, one that led to Knicks head coach Mike Brown’s second technical foul of the season (both have come against Oklahoma City).

In the second period alone, the Knicks hit eight threes while limiting the Thunder to exclusive singles and doubles. A deep buzzer-beater from Josh Hart created a one-point gap to overcome at the break.

But, no matter where they shot (they did hold a 32-10 advantage in free throw attempts after three periods, before the Knicks forced their way into the bonus early in the fourth), Oklahoma City had an answer for the metropolitan coup.

Following the aforementioned cut to one through Towns’ breakout (capped off by a successful and-one), Alex Caruso sank a crucial three before turning the stage over to Gilgeous-Alexander’s showcase.

Even with a resurgent Towns trying to will the Knicks to a March upset, the artists formerly known as the Seattle SuperSonics were thus able to continue their success in the yearly interconference couple.

Oklahoma City swept the Knicks for the third consecutive season, further aided by 22 points from Jalen Williams and 13 rebounds from ex-Knick Isaiah Hartenstein, which only narrowed the deficit in the board battle to two.

The Knicks face another interconference test in their next game on Tuesday night, when they head further south to face the Houston Rockets (8 p.m. ET, MSG/NBC).