Rockets squander 18-point fourth-quarter lead, fall 108-106 to Knicks at Madison Square Garden

Houston’s late breakdown erases three quarters of control

The Houston Rockets let an 18-point fourth-quarter advantage slip away Saturday night, losing 108-106 to the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Houston led 93-75 with 10:53 remaining but was outscored 33-13 the rest of the way, turning a road win into a two-point defeat.

The final period told the story in stark terms: Houston scored 15 points in the fourth quarter while New York scored 33. The Rockets’ offense stalled as possessions ended in missed shots and turnovers, while the Knicks consistently generated chances through pressure defense and quick strikes in transition.

Key performers and decisive sequence

Karl-Anthony Towns led New York with 25 points. Jalen Brunson scored 20 and delivered the closing plays, tying the game late and then converting a pull-up jumper to put the Knicks ahead for good in the final half-minute. OG Anunoby added 20 points, and Mikal Bridges scored 11.

Kevin Durant paced Houston with 30 points. Jabari Smith Jr. scored 21, Alperen Şengün added 16, and Amen Thompson recorded 12 points and 10 rebounds.

The closing sequence hinged on execution under pressure. After Brunson’s jumper tied it at 103 with 1:26 left, Houston committed consecutive empty possessions, including a turnover near the sideline and an offensive foul. Brunson’s ensuing pull-up basket gave New York the lead, and Houston’s last chance ended with a missed long attempt at the buzzer.

How the Knicks flipped the game

New York’s rally began immediately to open the fourth. Houston briefly stemmed the run with a Smith three-pointer, but the Rockets then went cold and careless. New York’s pressure forced repeated mistakes, and a Towns layup cut the margin to 99-97 with 3:32 remaining, shifting the game into a one-possession contest.

Team-level numbers underline the swing: Houston shot 4-of-15 in the fourth quarter and committed nine turnovers in the period, which New York converted into points during the comeback.

What it means next

The loss snapped Houston’s five-game winning streak and dropped the Rockets to 34-21. The Knicks improved to 36-21 and secured a bounce-back win after a prior defeat earlier in the week.

• Rockets next game: vs. Utah Jazz on Monday night in Houston.

• Knicks next game: at Chicago Bulls on Sunday night.

Final score: Knicks 108, Rockets 106 — New York erased an 18-point fourth-quarter deficit with a 33-15 closing period.