NEW YORK (AP) — Jalen Brunson scored a season-high 47 points and the New York Knicks overcame Karl-Anthony Towns’ quiet night to beat the Miami Heat 132-125 on Sunday.
While Towns had just two points and six rebounds in 29 minutes, Mikal Bridges scored 24 points on 6-of7 3-point shooting, Josh Hart added 13 points and 10 rebounds and OG Anunoby scored all 18 of his points all in the second half. The Knicks improved to 20-8 overall and 14-2 at home.
Click to Gallery
Miami Heat center Kel'el Ware (7) looks to shoot over New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) dribbles around Miami Heat center Bam Adubayo (13) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Knicks guard Josh Hart, left, defends Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/John Munson)
Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo, left, defends against New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/John Munson)
Miami Heat guard Davion Mitchell, left, defends against New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/John Munson)
Kel’el Ware had 28 points and 19 rebounds for Miami. The Heat have lost seven of eight to fall to 15-14.
With Towns held scoreless over the first 25:02, and posting his fewest points since joining the Knicks, Brunson, Bridges and Anunoby picked up the slack, especially in the second half.
Ware made his fifth 3-pointer, then Jaime Jaquez Jr. hit a pair of free throws that cut New York’s lead to 120-118 with 3:12 left. But the Knicks answered with an 8-0 run, keyed by Bridges’ 3-pointer and three free throws from Brunson after a flagrant foul.
Brunson and Bridges combined for 45 of New York’s 66 first-half points, with Bridges scoring 18 points. The duo made 9 of 13 first-half 3-pointers, including Brunson’s 3-pointer with 0.8 seconds left in the second quarter that put New York up by four at halftime.
Heat: Host Toronto on Tuesday night
Knicks: At Minnesota on Tuesday night.
Miami Heat center Kel'el Ware (7) looks to shoot over New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) dribbles around Miami Heat center Bam Adubayo (13) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Knicks guard Josh Hart, left, defends Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/John Munson)
Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo, left, defends against New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/John Munson)
Miami Heat guard Davion Mitchell, left, defends against New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/John Munson)
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Bijan Robinson had another outstanding game running the ball and catching it, talented tight end Kyle Pitts caught a touchdown pass, and the Atlanta defense made a big play in a critical moment.
This was what the Falcons were supposed to look like this season.
The good times have come too late for the Falcons to make a run at the postseason, but Sunday's 26-19 victory over the Arizona Cardinals was a reminder that this is a roster with the potential to produce positive results.
“It shows guys what this team should look like on a consistent basis, every time we're out there,” coach Raheem Morris said.
The Falcons (6-9) won for the second straight week, with both coming on the road. They've won three of their last five, bouncing back after a five-game skid that derailed their season.
Atlanta controlled much of the second half, building a 26-16 lead by early in the fourth quarter, but Arizona rallied and made a fourth-down defensive stop at its own 40-yard line with 2:05 left. That gave the Cardinals a chance to tie the game or take the lead.
Atlanta's C.J. Henderson — who was elevated from the practice squad on Saturday — made a diving interception of Jacoby Brissett's pass with 1:30 remaining to secure the win.
“I've been staying ready the entire time, so I wasn't surprised,” Henderson said.
Robinson had 92 yards receiving on seven catches, including a 13-yard touchdown, and added 76 yards rushing on 16 carries. The 23-year-old became the third player in franchise history to gain at least 2,000 yards from scrimmage in a season, joining Jamal Anderson (1998) and William Andrews (1981 and 1983).
“That's a real-deal stat — doing 2,000 from scrimmage,” Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins said. “It's hard to do if you're not healthy, so the fact that he's durable enough to do it is a big deal.”
Arizona (3-12) has lost seven straight and 12 of 13 since starting the season 2-0.
The Falcons pushed ahead 26-16 early in the fourth quarter when Cousins scored on a 1-yard run, which capped a 12-play, 66-yard drive. Arizona cut the deficit to 26-19 with 4:37 left on Chad Ryland's 34-yard field goal, taking advantage of Cousins' fumble at midfield.
“I loved the resilience,” Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon said. “I thought we battled in there, but ultimately fell a little short. I thought a key component of the game is that we moved it, but had to settle for some field goals. They converted some touchdowns.”
Brissett completed 16 of 31 passes for 203 yards with a touchdown and an interception. The veteran has a 1-9 record as the Cardinals' starter since taking over for the injured Kyler Murray in Week 6.
Arizona tight end Elijah Higgins had 91 yards receiving on seven catches.
Atlanta rallied from an early 10-point deficit to tie the game at 16-all heading into halftime. Cousins hit Pitts for an 11-yard touchdown with 25 seconds left in the second quarter. Calais Campbell, Arizona's 39-year-old defensive end, blocked the extra-point attempt to keep the Falcons from taking the lead.
Arizona tried a 50-yard field goal to take the lead just before the break, but Ryland's kick was no good, bouncing off the right upright.
Ryland also missed a 44-yard attempt in the third quarter wide right.
The Cardinals took a 10-0 lead midway through the first quarter after Michael Wilson made a circus catch for a 32-yard touchdown. Falcons cornerback Cobee Bryant and Wilson tumbled into the end zone as they fought for possession and the ball bounced between them, eventually settling between Wilson's legs without hitting the ground.
Cardinals tight end Trey McBride caught four passes for 27 yards, which snapped a personal streak of 16 straight games with at least five receptions. The 16-game streak was an NFL record for a tight end.
Cardinals: CB Max Melton (heel), LT Paris Johnson Jr. (knee) and S Jalen Thompson (hamstring) were among six inactives. ... CB Garrett Williams (Achilles tendon) left in the first quarter and had to be carted off the field after the non-contact injury. ... Rookie DL Walter Nolen III (knee) was carted off in the third quarter. ... DL Josh Sweat (ankle) was hurt during the first quarter and initially returned, but was ruled out in the third quarter.
Falcons: Host the Los Angeles Rams on Monday, Dec. 29.
Cardinals: At Cincinnati next Sunday.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson (14) scores a touchdown against Atlanta Falcons cornerback Cobee Bryant (37) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss (55) blocks a pass against Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier (25) runs against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) passes against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Arnold Ebiketie (17) sacks Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. (8) makes the catch against Arizona Cardinals linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither (27) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) scores a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
