LAS VEGAS— Jalen Brunson scored at least 30 points for the fourth straight game, his season-high 40 points ahead of the Knicks Orlando Magic 132-120 on Saturday to send New York to the NBA Cup finals.
The Knicks, who have won five straight and nine of 10, will play either Oklahoma City or San Antonio for the championship on Tuesday night.
Brunson also had eight assists and made 16 of 27 shots, including a 3-pointer in the third quarter after Orlando's Anthony Black fell backwards to the floor. Karl-Anthony Towns scored 29 points and O.G. Anunoby scored 24 points for the Knicks.
Jalen Suggs scored 25 of his 26 points in the first half for the Magic before leaving the team in the fourth quarter with left hip soreness. Paolo Banchero added 25 points and Desmond Bane scored 18.
This game had a playoff feel to it, with both teams playing physical and seemingly taking every opportunity to pick up the pace. The Knicks shot 60.7% and outscored the Magic 70-62 in the lane.
The game continued back and forth with 11 lead changes and 10 ties before the Knicks scored 10 points late in the third quarter to take a 102-92 lead.
It looked like a little NBA history might be made when Brunson and Suggs each scored 25 points by halftime. Since 2000, no team has scored 50 points in a regular season game.
But Suggs scored just one point in the second half and was visibly limping. He went to the locker room early in the fourth quarter.
The Magic played without Franz Wagner, who was out for several weeks with a high ankle sprain.
Knicks: Play the Thunder or Spurs on Tuesday night in the NBA Cup Final.
Magic: Visit Denver on Thursday.
