Knicks Overcome Early Deficit to Defeat Jazz in Comeback Victory

Ben Stiller, Jalen Brunson, and other key players lead the charge as the Knicks rally from a 15-point first quarter deficit.

Published on Mar. 12, 2026

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The New York Knicks overcame an early 15-point deficit against the Utah Jazz to win by 17 points in a thrilling comeback victory. Superfan Ben Stiller initially expressed concern about the team's performance, but point guard Jalen Brunson led the charge in the second half, scoring 28 points and dishing out 8 assists. Other key contributors included Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and Jordan Clarkson.

Why it matters

The Knicks' comeback win against the Jazz showcases the team's resilience and ability to overcome early struggles, which will be crucial as they continue to fight for a playoff spot in the competitive Eastern Conference. Jalen Brunson's leadership and the team's balanced scoring attack demonstrated their potential to be a force in the postseason.

The details

The Knicks found themselves down 15 points after the first quarter, trailing the Jazz 41-26. They were still down by 9 points at halftime, 65-56. However, the team turned things around in the second half, outscoring the Jazz 40-29 in the third quarter and 38-23 in the fourth to secure the 17-point victory. Jalen Brunson led the way with 28 points, 4 rebounds, and 8 assists, while Karl-Anthony Towns (21 points), OG Anunoby (22 points), and Jordan Clarkson (27 points off the bench) also made significant contributions.

  • The Knicks were down 15 points after the first quarter.
  • The Knicks trailed the Jazz by 9 points at halftime, 65-56.
  • The Knicks outscored the Jazz 40-29 in the third quarter.
  • The Knicks outscored the Jazz 38-23 in the fourth quarter to secure the 17-point victory.

The players

Jalen Brunson

The Knicks' starting point guard who led the team's second-half comeback with 28 points, 4 rebounds, and 8 assists.

Karl-Anthony Towns

The Knicks' starting center who scored 21 points on efficient 8-of-13 shooting.

OG Anunoby

The Knicks' starting small forward who scored 22 points on 70% shooting from the field and a perfect 5-for-5 from the free throw line.

Jordan Clarkson

The Knicks' reserve guard who came off the bench to score 27 points, making 10 of his 15 shots and all 4 of his free throws.

Ben Stiller

A well-known Knicks superfan who initially expressed concern about the team's performance but later praised Jalen Brunson's heroics.

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What they’re saying

“Brunson really stepped up [in the] second half”

— Ben Stiller (X (formerly Twitter)

“Couldn't watch for 10 minutes – seems like we finally remembered we are the NY Knicks.”

— Ben Stiller (X (formerly Twitter)

What’s next

The Knicks will look to build on this comeback victory as they continue their push for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

The takeaway

The Knicks' ability to overcome a significant early deficit and rally for a convincing win against the Jazz demonstrates the team's resilience and potential to be a force in the postseason. Jalen Brunson's leadership and the team's balanced scoring attack were key factors in the comeback victory.