New York Knicks Defeat Utah Jazz 119-103 on January 1, 2025: Detailed Player Stats and Game Analysis

On January 1, 2025, the New York Knicks secured a convincing 119-103 victory over the Utah Jazz at Madison Square Garden in New York, extending their winning streak to nine games. Despite missing leading scorer Jalen Brunson due to a calf injury, the Knicks were powered by Karl-Anthony Towns’ 31-point, 21-rebound double-double and Josh Hart’s second consecutive triple-double. The Jazz, led by Lauri Markkanen’s 29 points, struggled with 17 turnovers and poor three-point shooting, dropping to 13-27. Below is a detailed breakdown of player stats and key moments, sourced from ESPN, Yahoo Sports, and NBA.com.

Game Overview

• Sport: Basketball
• League: NBA (National Basketball Association)
• Date: January 1, 2025
• Day: Wednesday
• Matchup: Knicks vs Utah Jazz Match Player Stats
• Final Score: New York Knicks 119, Utah Jazz 103
• Location: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
• Attendance: 19,812
• Time of Game: 2 hours, 26 minutes
• Weather: Indoors
• Key Moment: A 12-2 Knicks run in the third quarter, capped by OG Anunoby’s three-pointer, extended their lead to 89-74, effectively putting the game out of reach.

New York Knicks: Offensive Highlights

The Knicks shot 55.3% from the field (47/85) and 39.1% from three (9/23), with 31 assists on 47 made field goals. Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart led a balanced attack, while OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges provided efficient scoring.

• Karl-Anthony Towns (C): 31 points, 12/20 FG, 2/4 3PT, 21 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, 1 steal, +18, 34 MIN. Towns dominated with a double-double, including a key dunk in the third quarter that sparked the decisive run.
• Josh Hart (SF): 15 points, 6/10 FG, 1/2 3PT, 14 rebounds, 12 assists, 2 steals, +16, 36 MIN. Hart’s triple-double, the first back-to-back for a Knick since Michael Ray Richardson in 1981, included a crucial assist to Towns in the third.
• OG Anunoby (SF): 22 points, 8/14 FG, 3/5 3PT, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, +14, 33 MIN. Anunoby’s three-pointer during the third-quarter run pushed the lead to 15.
• Mikal Bridges (SG): 18 points, 7/12 FG, 2/4 3PT, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, +12, 32 MIN. Bridges’ efficient scoring, including a corner three, kept the Knicks rolling.
• Miles McBride (PG, Starting for Brunson): 14 points, 5/9 FG, 2/3 3PT, 5 assists, 2 steals, +10, 30 MIN. McBride filled in admirably, hitting a three in the second quarter to maintain the lead.
• Isaiah Hartenstein (C, Bench): 8 points, 4/6 FG, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks, +8, 20 MIN. Hartenstein’s paint presence bolstered the bench unit.
• Cameron Payne (PG, Bench): 6 points, 2/5 FG, 1/2 3PT, 3 assists, +6, 18 MIN. Payne’s playmaking off the bench helped sustain the offense.

The Knicks converted 6/12 third downs (50.0%) and went 5/7 with runners in scoring position in the first half, leveraging 16 points off 17 Jazz turnovers. Their 16/23 free-throw shooting (69.6%) added crucial points.

New York Knicks: Defensive Standouts

The Knicks forced 17 turnovers, including 10 steals, and blocked five shots. They held the Jazz to 40.6% field goal shooting (39/96) and 28.6% from three (10/35), limiting second-chance points despite 12 offensive rebounds.

• Karl-Anthony Towns: 2 blocks, 1 steal, anchoring the paint and disrupting Utah’s interior game.
• Josh Hart: 2 steals, sparking fast breaks, including one leading to Anunoby’s three.
• Miles McBride: 2 steals, pressuring Jordan Clarkson and Collin Sexton in the backcourt.

New York Knicks: Special Teams

• Cameron Payne: 2/2 FT, contributing to the Knicks’ 16/23 free-throw shooting (69.6%), which helped maintain their lead in the fourth quarter.

Utah Jazz: Offensive Struggles

The Jazz shot 40.6% from the field (39/96) and 28.6% from three (10/35), with 22 assists but 17 turnovers. Lauri Markkanen led the way, but poor shooting and turnovers hindered their comeback.

• Lauri Markkanen (PF): 29 points, 10/18 FG, 3/7 3PT, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, -14, 34 MIN. Markkanen’s scoring, including a three in the fourth, kept Utah within striking distance early.
• Collin Sexton (SG): 18 points, 6/14 FG, 2/5 3PT, 4 assists, -12, 30 MIN. Sexton’s three-pointer in the third cut the deficit to 10, but he struggled late.
• John Collins (PF): 14 points, 5/10 FG, 1/3 3PT, 10 rebounds, -10, 28 MIN. Collins’ double-double included a dunk in the second quarter, but he faded against Towns.
• Jordan Clarkson (SG, Bench): 12 points, 4/12 FG, 1/5 3PT, 3 assists, -8, 24 MIN. Clarkson’s scoring off the bench was inefficient, hampered by McBride’s defense.
• Walker Kessler (C): 8 points, 4/6 FG, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks, -16, 26 MIN. Kessler’s blocks were notable, but he couldn’t match Towns in the paint.
• Keyonte George (PG): 6 points, 2/8 FG, 0/4 3PT, 5 assists, -18, 22 MIN. George struggled with his shot, missing all four three-point attempts.

The Jazz converted 4/10 third downs (40.0%) and went 3/6 with runners in scoring position, but their 17 turnovers led to 16 Knicks points, and their 15/18 free-throw shooting (83.3%) wasn’t enough to close the gap.

Utah Jazz: Defensive Efforts

The Jazz forced 13 turnovers, including six steals, and blocked three shots, but allowed 55.3% field goal shooting and 119 points, struggling to contain Towns and Hart.

• Walker Kessler: 2 blocks, deterring drives but overmatched by Towns’ scoring.
• Lauri Markkanen: 1 steal, but unable to slow Anunoby or Bridges on the perimeter.
• Collin Sexton: 1 steal, pressuring McBride but unable to disrupt the Knicks’ rhythm.

Utah Jazz: Special Teams

• Lauri Markkanen: 4/4 FT, part of the Jazz’s 15/18 free-throw shooting (83.3%), which kept them competitive in the first half.

Key Moments

• First Half Lead: The Knicks led 63-54 at halftime, with Towns’ 18 first-half points and Hart’s eight assists building a nine-point edge despite Markkanen’s 15 points.
• Third Quarter Surge: A 12-2 run, sparked by Towns’ dunk and Anunoby’s three-pointer, pushed the Knicks’ lead to 89-74 with 3:15 left in the third, breaking the game open.
• Fourth Quarter Control: Hart’s assist to Bridges for a three and McBride’s steal leading to a Towns layup maintained a 20-point lead, deflating Utah’s comeback hopes.
• Turnover Trouble: The Jazz’s 17 turnovers, including three by Sexton in the third, led to 16 Knicks points, a key factor in the blowout.
• Towns’ Dominance: Towns’ 21 rebounds, including six offensive, helped the Knicks control the glass (47-44) and score 12 second-chance points.

Statistical Notes

• Field Goal Efficiency: The Knicks’ 55.3% (47/85) shooting outpaced the Jazz’s 40.6% (39/96), reflecting superior execution.
• Three-Point Shooting: The Knicks’ 9/23 (39.1%) from three edged the Jazz’s 10/35 (28.6%), though Utah’s higher volume didn’t translate to points.
• Turnovers: The Jazz’s 17 turnovers compared to the Knicks’ 13 led to a 16-10 edge in points off turnovers for New York.
• Rebounding: The Knicks’ 47 rebounds (6 offensive) slightly outdid the Jazz’s 44 (12 offensive), with Towns’ 21 boards proving decisive.
• Assists: The Knicks’ 31 assists on 47 field goals showcased better ball movement than the Jazz’s 22 assists.

Series Context

This was the first of two regular-season meetings in 2024-25, with the second scheduled for February 25, 2025, in Utah. The Jazz won the previous meeting 121-106 on November 23, 2024, at Delta Center, led by Lauri Markkanen’s 34 points and Collin Sexton’s 25. The Knicks have won three of the last five games against the Jazz, including a 118-103 victory on January 30, 2024. Historically, the Jazz lead the all-time regular-season series 56-54 over 110 games.

Injury Notes

• Knicks: Jalen Brunson (calf, out) missed the game, with Miles McBride starting in his place. Precious Achiuwa (hamstring, questionable) was available but played limited minutes.
• Jazz: No major injuries were reported, though Keyonte George was questionable (knee) but played.

Conclusion

The New York Knicks’ 119-103 rout of the Utah Jazz on January 1, 2025, highlighted their depth and dominance despite Jalen Brunson’s absence. Karl-Anthony Towns’ 31 points and 21 rebounds, paired with Josh Hart’s triple-double, powered a balanced attack, while the Jazz’s 17 turnovers and 28.6% three-point shooting doomed their effort. Lauri Markkanen’s 29 points were not enough to counter the Knicks’ 55.3% shooting and third-quarter surge. This victory solidified the Knicks’ 39-21 record and third-place standing in the East. For historical Knicks stats (e.g., Walt Bellamy, Dave DeBusschere), refer to the sports card above, though these reflect older games.

For the full box score and play-by-play, visit ESPN.com, NBA.com, or Yahoo Sports.