Brunson's double-double helps the Knicks outlast Zion Williamson and the Pelicans, 130-125

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Jalen Brunson capped a 28-point, 10-assist performance with a driving floater and a layup in the final 1:06, and the New York Knicks surged in front late to beat the New Orleans Pelicans 130-125 on Monday night.

OG Anunoby had 23 points and 11 rebounds, Mohamed Diawara scored a career-high 18 points, and Karl-Anthony Towns had 12 points and 12 rebounds for the Knicks, who've won three straight.

Zion Williamson scored a season-high 32 points for the Pelicans, who lost their fourth straight. Saddiq Bey and Jordan Poole each scored 26 for New Orleans and Trey Murphy III added 21 points.

Neither team led by more than 10 in a game characterized by a lot of scoring in the first half before defensive play intensified in the second.

The Pelicans led 75-72 at halftime, when both teams were shooting 50% or better. With 3:36 left in the game, the score was tied at 117 after Poole and Brunson had exchanged 3s.

Brunson rebounded his own missed 3 and hit a running floater just inside the baseline to give New York a 124-121 lead with 1:06 to go.

After Williamson's free throws, Brunson responded with a driving layup and Deuce McBride, who had 14 points, hit four free throws in the final 16 seconds to ensure the Knicks held on.

Diawara, who'd never previously scored more than five points in a game, had 13 by the end of the first quarter of what was just the Frenchman's third career start.

Bey scored 23 points in the first quarter.

Pelicans guard and native New Yorker Jose Alvarado was unavailable to play because of a two-game suspension stemming from his fight on Saturday night with Phoenix's Mark Williams.

Knicks: Visit the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night.

Pelicans: Visit the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night.

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

New York Knicks forward Og Anunoby (8) pulls down a defensive rebound against New Orleans Pelicans forward Kevon Looney, right, in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Forest)

New Orleans Pelicans guard Saddiq Bey (41) gets past New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) for a reverse layup in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Forest)

New Orleans Pelicans guard Jordan Poole (3) attempts a layup against New York Knicks forward Mohamed Diawara, right, in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Forest)

New Orleans Pelicans guard Saddiq Bey (41) goes up to shoot a one-handed jumper over New York Knicks forward Mohamed Diawara (51) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Forest)

New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) shoots a jumper over New Orleans Pelicans center Derik Queen, right, in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Forest)

MILAN (AP) — Italian soccer is in crisis on and off the field, with another refereeing scandal emerging on the heels of the men's team's repeated failure to qualify for the World Cup.

Gianluca Rocchi, the head of referees in Serie A and Serie B, has been placed under criminal investigation for alleged sports fraud and will appear in court in Milan on Thursday.

Also under investigation is VAR supervisor Andrea Gervasoni.

Rocchi, who has been accused of influencing VAR decisions and altering the selection of referees, has stepped away from his role while awaiting further developments.

“We have a duty to guarantee that the soccer system ensures transparency and equal treatment,” Serie A president Ezio Simonelli said in a statement. “Trusting in the work of the competent bodies, it cannot be a notice of investigation that calls into question the intellectual honesty and the work of an entire system.

“If it turns out that someone made a mistake, it will be right for them to pay. But it is never allowed to question the credibility of the system and the regularity of the championship.”

Rocchi is under investigation for incidents during the 2024-25 season. He allegedly interfered with VAR protocols during a Serie A match between Udinese and Parma on March 1, 2025, by banging on the window of the VAR booth and recommending that the officials call for an on-field review of a penalty.

Italian media reports that Rocchi’s selection of referees is also being examined amid suggestions he changed the official for an Inter Milan match to one who was more favorable towards the Nerazzurri.

Inter, which finished a point behind Serie A champion Napoli, has not been implicated.

The Italian soccer federation (FIGC) investigated a complaint against Rocchi for the VAR booth incident last year but dismissed disciplinary proceedings in July. However, the issue has resurfaced with the launch of the criminal investigation.

FIGC Prosecutor Giuseppe Chiné said he is in contact with the public prosecutor’s office in Milan and will reconsider reopening the FIGC investigation if new evidence emerges.

Italian soccer was already in crisis after the national team failed to qualify for a third straight World Cup, prompting the resignations of FIGC president Gabriele Gravina and coach Gennaro Gattuso earlier this month.

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

FILE - Referee Gianluca Rocchi holds the ball during a Serie A soccer match between Juventus and Roma, at the Allianz stadium in Turin, Italy, Saturday, Aug.1, 2020. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno, File)