The New York Knicks celebrated their 40th victory of the 2025-26 regular season on Tuesday night by defeating the Toronto Raptors 111-95 at Scotiabank Arena. This win marked the Knicks’ third consecutive game holding opponents under 100 points and extended their winning streak against the Raptors to ten games. The team has now achieved at least 40 wins for a third straight season.
Leading the charge was Knicks All-Star point guard Jalen Brunson, who scored a team-high 26 points. Brunson, last year’s Clutch Player of the Year, connected on 10 of 22 field goal attempts and added seven points and one assist in the crucial final five minutes, reinforcing his reputation as a reliable performer under pressure.
Jakob Poeltl Details Challenges in Guarding Jalen Brunson
Following the game, Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl shared insights into the difficulty of defending Brunson, especially during pivotal stretches. Poeltl emphasized Brunson’s ability to control the pace and flow when it matters most.
I mean, obviously it’s difficult…he’s good in these kind of situations. He knows how to dictate the game very well. We try to be really aggressive with him, try to take him out of his comfort zone,
Poeltl told reporters.
They just made some good plays at the end there. Knocked down some shots, some wild plays…it got out of hand in the last couple of minutes.
Despite Poeltl’s defensive efforts, Brunson’s poise and clutch scoring proved decisive as the Knicks pulled away late in the game.
Knicks’ Path Forward and Upcoming Challenges
With this victory, New York improved to a 40-22 record and continues building momentum in their quest for a deep playoff run. The team faces a challenging back-to-back starting Wednesday night, hosting the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder at Madison Square Garden. This matchup promises to be a highly competitive contest between two top-tier conference contenders.
Additional Updates from the Knicks’ Camp
- Rookie Mohamed Diawara has impressed teammates with a record-breaking performance this season.
- Jalen Brunson addressed recent comments about his future contract, emphasizing his commitment to the team.
- Brunson responded humorously when questioned about competing against Jose Alvarado versus having him as a teammate.
- Jose Alvarado gave a straightforward account of the Pistons’ recent regular-season sweep over the Knicks.
- Jeremy Sochan, the Knicks’ newest addition, is expected to impact playing time for fan-favorite rookies.
- Brunson shared candid thoughts on Sochan’s arrival and potential contributions to the team.
As the Knicks continue to refine their roster and compete at a high level, Jakob Poeltl’s comments highlight the challenges opponents face when trying to contain Jalen Brunson, a key figure in the team’s ongoing success. The crucial contests ahead at Madison Square Garden will test the Knicks’ ability to maintain their strong form heading into the postseason.
Q "As much attention as you were giving Jalen Brunson down stretch somehow makes plays out of nothing…You guys throwing everything at him"
Jakob Poeltl "Difficult…knows how to dictate game…They got other guys…hard to take everything away…wild plays went in…got outta hand" pic.twitter.com/GToGNjt0WR
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) March 4, 2026
