Knicks overcame 18-point fourth quarter deficit to beat Rockets 108-106
Karl-Anthony Towns led with 25 points, Jalen Brunson added 20
Knicks won despite Rockets having won five consecutive games
Kevin Durant scored 30 points for Houston but missed potential game-winner
📖 Full Retelling
Karl-Anthony Towns scored 25 points and Jalen Brunson added 20 as the New York Knicks overcame an 18-point deficit in the fourth quarter to defeat the Houston Rockets 108-106 at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night, February 21, 2026, in a thrilling NBA contest. The Knicks, who had led by 13 points in the first half, mounted a remarkable comeback in the final period after the Rockets had built a significant lead. OG Anunoby contributed 20 points and Mikal Bridges added 11 for New York, who were playing two nights after a disappointing loss to the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons. The victory was particularly impressive as the Rockets had won five consecutive games coming into this matchup. New York's comeback began with an 8-1 run in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter before Jabari Smith Jr. hit a 3-pointer for Houston. The Knicks then went on a 14-2 run during which the Rockets missed eight consecutive shots and committed two turnovers, capped by Towns' layup that cut the deficit to 99-97 with 3:32 remaining. Brunson's jumper tied the game at 103 with 1:26 left before Kevin Durant lost the ball near the sideline and committed an offensive foul. Brunson answered with a pullup jumper that gave New York the lead for good, and Durant's potential game-winning 40-footer at the buzzer fell short.
A rocket (from Italian: rocchetto, lit. ''bobbin/spool'', and so named for its shape) is an elongated flying vehicle that uses a rocket engine to accelerate without using any surrounding air. A rocket engine produces thrust by reaction to exhaust expelled at high speed. Unlike jet engines, rockets a...
National Basketball Association team in New York City
The New York Knickerbockers, shortened and more commonly referred to as the New York Knicks, are an American professional basketball team based in the New York City borough of Manhattan. The Knicks compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Atlantic Division of the Easte...
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North America composed of 30 teams (29 in the United States and 1 in Canada). The NBA is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada and is considered the premier professional basketball...
Jalen Marquis Brunson,also known as "Mr. Clutch" (born August 31, 1996) is an American professional basketball player for the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was drafted with the 33rd overall selection of the 2018 NBA draft by the Dallas Mavericks and played his firs...
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players each (excluding subs), opposing one another on a rectangular court, compete with the primary objective of shooting a basketball (approximately 9.4 inches (24 cm) in diameter) through the defender's hoop (a basket 18 inches (46 cm) in diam...
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Deep Analysis
Why It Matters
This comeback victory demonstrates the Knicks' resilience and ability to perform under pressure, which is crucial for playoff positioning. The win also snaps the Rockets' five-game winning streak, impacting both teams' momentum in their respective conference races.
Context & Background
Knicks bouncing back from disappointing loss to Detroit
The Knicks face Chicago on Sunday night, looking to build momentum from this dramatic win. The Rockets host Utah on Monday night, needing to regroup after blowing an 18-point fourth-quarter lead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the key players in the Knicks' comeback?
Karl-Anthony Towns led with 25 points, while Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby each contributed 20 points in the victory.
How did the Knicks overcome the 18-point deficit?
New York used a 14-2 run in the fourth quarter, capitalizing on Houston missing eight consecutive shots and committing two turnovers.
What was the decisive play of the game?
Jalen Brunson hit a pullup jumper with under 90 seconds remaining to give New York the lead for good after Kevin Durant committed an offensive foul.
Original Source
Knicks overcome an 18-point deficit in the 4th quarter to beat the Rockets 108-106 Karl-Anthony Towns scored 25 points, Jalen Bruson had 20 and the New York Knicks overcame an 18-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat the Houston Rockets 108-106 on Saturday night By ADRY TORRES Associated Press February 21, 2026, 11:52 PM NEW YORK -- Karl-Anthony Towns scored 25 points, Jalen Bruson had 20 and the New York Knicks overcame an 18-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat the Houston Rockets 108-106 on Saturday night. OG Anunoby added 20 points, and Mikal Bridges had 11 for New York. The Knicks bounced back two nights after a disappointing loss to Eastern Conference-leading Detroit. Kevin Durant scored 30 points for Houston. Jabari Smith Jr. had 21, Alperen Sengun added 16, and Amen Thompson had 12 points and 10 rebounds. The Rockets had won five a row. The Knicks, who led by 13 points in the first half, began their comeback with an 8-1 run in the opening minutes of the fourth before Smith hit a 3-pointer in front of the Houston bench. Houston missed eight consecutive shots and turned the ball over two times as the Knicks went on a 14-2 run, capped by Towns’ layup off the glass that cut it to 99-97 with 3:32 left. Bruson's jumper tied it at 103 with 1:26 left. Durant then lost the ball near the sideline and committed an offensive foul on the following possession as he plowed into Brunson. Brunson answered with a pullup jumper that gave New York the lead for good. Durant had a chance to win it at the buzzer, but missed a 40-footer. Popular Reads Nancy Guthrie live updates: More than 1 suspect not ruled out, sheriff's office says Feb 21, 5:31 PM Trump says he has signed order for new 15% tariff after Supreme Court ruling Feb 21, 4:34 PM Nancy Guthrie case: Person released as search for 'armed individual' continues Feb 10, 11:15 PM Rockets: Host Utah on Monday night. Knicks: At Chicago on Sunday night. ___ AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba Sponsored Content by Tab...
