Knicks Edge Mavericks 113-111: Full Player Stats & Game Breakdown

Knicks vs Mavericks: Nail-Biter Ends with Brunson’s Heroics

On November 19, 2025, the New York Knicks hosted the Dallas Mavericks in a nationally televised clash that delivered all the tension and drama basketball fans crave. In a game defined by missed opportunities, clutch performances, and late-game chaos, the Knicks held on to win 113-111. Jalen Brunson led the charge for New York, scoring 28 points and adding five assists. For Dallas, the duo of Naji Marshall and D’Angelo Russell combined for 46 points off the bench, offering a glimpse of the team’s potential depth—even as the result underscored their ongoing struggles.

Early Troubles and Momentum Shifts

The game opened with Dallas stumbling out of the gate, missing their first five shots and seeing starting point guard Brandon Williams rack up two quick fouls. Yet, adversity sparked a response: Dallas went on an 11-1 run, powered by three-pointers from Russell, PJ Washington, and Klay Thompson. The Knicks, meanwhile, struggled to find their rhythm, failing to capitalize on Dallas’s cold start. Jalen Brunson’s late burst helped New York retake the lead, but Naji Marshall’s third triple of the quarter ensured Dallas finished the first period just a point behind, 25-24.

The second quarter proved equally scrappy. Both teams found offense hard to come by, with neither scoring for the first three minutes of the third quarter. Marshall finally broke the drought with a pair of free throws. Dallas managed to build a modest seven-point lead, but New York’s resilience saw them claw back, heading into halftime with a narrow 52-50 advantage.

Third Quarter Surge and Bench Contributions

With shooting finally picking up after halftime, the third quarter saw both teams trading baskets. The Knicks, after a brutal first half from deep, started to connect from three-point range. Brunson continued to assert himself, but Russell matched him shot-for-shot, particularly from behind the arc. The teams exchanged wild baskets in the final minute, and New York held a slim 87-85 lead entering the fourth.

Fourth Quarter Drama: Missed Chances and Clutch Plays

The final frame was a showcase of resilience—and missed opportunities. Dallas, led by Russell’s hot hand, surged ahead and held a five-point lead. But the Knicks refused to fade, repeatedly cutting the margin to a single point. A crucial New York turnover led to an easy Marshall layup, giving Dallas a brief 106-103 advantage with less than five minutes remaining. Mikal Bridges responded with a clutch three-pointer to tie the game at 106, but Daniel Gafford’s free throw nudged Dallas back in front.

As the clock wound down, the tension mounted. The Knicks finally retook the lead with just over a minute left, thanks to Landry Shamet’s corner three. Russell tied it from the line, but Shamet struck again with another three, putting New York up 112-109. Dallas missed two potential game-tying threes. In the closing seconds, missed free throws plagued both sides—Shamet and Mitchell Robinson each failed to capitalize from the stripe. PJ Washington seized the moment, making two free throws to narrow the gap to 112-111. Brunson added one more point at the line, setting up Dallas for a last gasp. Williams drove the length of the court, but his layup was waved off for an offensive foul, sealing the Knicks’ victory.

Key Player Stats: Who Stepped Up and Who Fell Short?

• Jalen Brunson (Knicks): 28 points, 5 assists. Brunson was the steadying force throughout, especially in crunch time.
• Landry Shamet (Knicks): Two clutch three-pointers in the final minutes, pivotal to New York’s comeback.
• Mikal Bridges (Knicks): Key three-pointer to tie the game late in the fourth.
• Naji Marshall (Mavericks): 23 points off the bench, including three first-quarter threes.
• D’Angelo Russell (Mavericks): 23 points, several key threes to keep Dallas in striking distance.
• PJ Washington (Mavericks): Vital free throws in the final seconds, kept Dallas in the game.

Despite Dallas’s strong shooting from three-point range (36% overall, +12 from the arc compared to New York), their inability to score inside and capitalize on the Knicks’ poor shooting proved costly. The Knicks hit just 12 of 42 from deep and an abysmal 19 of 35 from the free throw line, leaving 16 points at the stripe—including five in the final 22 seconds. Yet, Dallas couldn’t turn these gifts into a win.

What Does This Game Reveal About Each Team?

For Dallas, the loss stings not just because of the margin, but because it highlights a deeper problem. Even when opponents struggle, the Mavericks find ways to let games slip away. At 4-12, it’s clear that injuries to stars like Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving have taken their toll, but the issues run deeper than health alone. The bench showed flashes of promise, but inconsistency and missed opportunities remain the defining features of this squad.

The Knicks, meanwhile, managed to scrape out a win despite a dreadful shooting night. Brunson’s leadership and Shamet’s late-game shooting underscore a team that can find answers even when their offense stalls. However, the inability to close games at the line could haunt them against stronger opponents.

Looking ahead, both teams face tough schedules. Dallas needs to find answers quickly if they hope to salvage their season. The Knicks, while buoyed by the win, must address their shooting woes to remain competitive.

Assessment: This matchup wasn’t just a close game—it was a mirror reflecting the core issues each team faces. Dallas’s inability to convert opportunity into victory, despite strong bench play and the Knicks’ shooting woes, speaks to a team in search of identity and consistency. For New York, the narrow win highlights both their resilience and the thin margins separating success from failure in the NBA. The stats tell a story: leadership and clutch shooting matter, but missed chances can haunt even the victors.