NBA: Jimmy Butler III, Warriors wear down Jalen Brunson-less Knicks

Jimmy Butler III led the way with a game-high 32 points, while Stephen Curry found his 3-point stroke in the second half en route to 27 points as the Golden State Warriors handled the Jalen Brunson-less New York Knicks 126-113 on Thursday.

Moses Moody and Brandin Podziemski combined for 40 points on 15-of-19 shooting in key supporting roles for the Warriors, who shot 53.9% from the field and sank 20 3-pointers, earning their fourth win in the past five games.

Starting in place of Brunson, Miles McBride scored 25 points, matching teammate OG Anunoby’s output. Karl-Anthony Towns grabbed a season-high 20 rebounds and added 17 points for the Knicks, who wrapped up a 1-3 Western swing on the second night of a back-to-back. Brunson missed the game after spraining his right ankle in New York’s loss to the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday.

Down by 17 early and tied at 65-all early in the second half, the Warriors went on a 24-11 run highlighted by three 3-pointers from Moody and two from Curry to open a 13-point lead. The Knicks would get no closer than seven points the rest of the way.

Butler recorded his fifth 30-point game of the season, shooting 14-of-22 while also contributing eight rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Curry, who missed all four of his 3-point attempts in a nine-point first half, went 4-of-5 from beyond the arc during an 18-point explosion in the final two periods and led Golden State with seven assists.

Moody finished with 21 points, making seven 3-pointers, while Podziemski added 19 points on 8-of-9 shooting overall. The Warriors outscored New York 60-42 from deep.

Mikal Bridges had 21 points and Jordan Clarkson added 11 for the Knicks, with Josh Hart dishing a game-high 10 assists alongside five points and five rebounds. New York shot 46.2% from the field but could not overcome Golden State’s balanced attack.

Towns posted a double-double in the first half alone, helping the Knicks jump out to a 31-14 lead before trailing 62-59 at halftime. The big man had 11 points and 10 rebounds in the first half, with five coming on the offensive glass, where New York recovered 10 of its 25 misses.

Golden State’s bench proved decisive in taking the halftime lead. Four reserves, led by Podziemski with 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting, combined for 23 first-half points and a 10-point advantage in bench scoring.

—Field Level Media/Reuters