Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges each score 21 in Knicks’ home debut, beating Pacers 123–98 (Video)

Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges made his home debut for the New York Knicks on Friday, giving fans at Madison Square Garden what they hope is a preview of even better nights to come. a 123-98 victory about him Indiana Pacers.

Towns scored 21 points, hitting 5 of 11 from the field, 2 of 2 on three-pointers and 9 of 10 on free throws. He added 15 rebounds and two blocks in a tough matchup against the Pacers center. Myles Turner. Bridges also scored 21 points, going 2-for-3 with five assists. With the Knicks’ big lead, neither player had much time in the fourth quarter.

Jalen Brunson He led the Knicks with 26 points, reminding fans who the real star of the team is. He also had five rebounds and five assists, easily winning his matchup against Tyrese Haliburtonwho surprisingly went scoreless for the Pacers by going 0 for 8 (0 for 7 on three-pointers). jose hart He had 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Knicks.

Indiana was led by Benedicto MathurinThe 20 points, followed by 13 points and seven rebounds from Turner. Pascal Siakam and Jarace Walker each added 12 points for the Pacers (1-1).

Towns had a mediocre game in the Knicks’ opener on Tuesday against the defending NBA champion. boston celts. He scored 12 points on 5 of 9 shots (1 of 2 in triples) with seven rebounds in a 132-109 defeat. But Towns matched that point total in the first half against Indiana, hitting both of his 3-pointers and adding two blocks.

Bridges didn’t fare much better against Boston. especially with poor shots in triples. He missed his first four shots from behind the arc and was 2 of 7 from long range. He finished with 16 points. However, he bounced back brilliantly against Indiana.

The Knicks got Towns in a very successful business with the minnesota wolves almost a month ago, coming to New York in exchange for Julio Randle, Donte Di Vincenzo and a first-round pick. The cities filled a large void in the middle with michel robinson outside at least until December with an ankle injury and Isaiah Hartenstein signing with him Oklahoma City Thunder in free agency.

Before getting Towns, Bridges was the Knicks’ player. great off-season acquisition in a deal with him Brooklyn Networks for Bojan Bogdanovićfour unprotected first-round picks, one protected first-round pick, one swap of unprotected picks and one second-round pick.

New York (1-1) has a break until Monday, when it receives the Cleveland Knights (2-0). The Pacers have a matinee matchup on Sunday with the Philadelphia 76ers (0-2).