Towns, Shamet power Knicks to a 140-130 win over Heat in NBA Cup game

NEW YORK (AP) — Karl-Anthony Towns scored 39 points and Landry Shamet added a career-high 36 points off the bench as the New York Knicks beat the Miami Heat 140-130 in an NBA Cup game on Friday night.

Jordan Clarkson scored 25 points, Mikal Bridges had 15, and Josh Hart recorded his first triple-double of the season with 12 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists as the Knicks posted a season-high point total.

Jalen Brunson missed his first game of the season due to a sprained right ankle sustained in Wednesday’s loss to Orlando. OG Anunoby left the game after two minutes with a left hamstring strain and did not return.

Norman Powell scored a season-high 38 points to lead the Heat. Jaime Jaquez Jr. had 23. Andrew Wiggins and Kel’el Ware scored 15 points apiece, while Pelle Larsson had 14 and Davion Mitchell 11.

The Knicks and Heat are 1-1 in Group C play.

The Knicks trailed 62-61 in the second quarter before Towns connected on consecutive 3-pointers and a pair of free throws. New York never trailed again and led 78-68 at halftime.

Miami got within two at 104-102, but the Knicks held on for a 110-104 lead after the third quarter.

After Jaquez hit a layup to open the final quarter, the Knicks responded with a 10-0 run and went on to take their biggest lead at 125-110 on Shamet’s 3-pointer with 6:55 left.

Miami never got closer than eight points the rest of the way.

The Heat had their biggest lead after scoring the first seven points of the game, and were ahead 35-32 after the first quarter.

The teams meet again in Miami on Monday.

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New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) fights for control of the ball with Miami Heat guard Dru Smith (12) during the first half of an NBA Cup basketball game, Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Miami Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. blocks New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the first half of an NBA Cup basketball game, Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic, left, defends against New York Knicks guard Jordan Clarkson (00) during the first half of an NBA Cup basketball game, Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

New York Knicks guard Landry Shamet (44) drives past Miami Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. (11) during the first half of an NBA Cup basketball game, Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) drives past Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic (5) during the first half of an NBA Cup basketball game, Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — James Harden moved into 10th place on the NBA’s career scoring list Saturday, passing Carmelo Anthony during the Los Angeles Clippers' game against Minnesota.

Harden was 20 points behind Anthony’s 28,289 career points entering the game. Harden hit a pair of free throws in the third quarter to move ahead of the Hall of Famer.

The 17-year veteran is averaging 26.5 points this season, his highest average since he led the league with 34.3 per game for the Houston Rockets in the 2019-20 season.

Next on the list ahead of Harden is Shaquille O’Neal, who scored 28,596 points during his Hall of Fame career.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1) steals the ball against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1) stands during the national anthem before an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)