The New York Knicks didn’t just beat the Utah Jazz — they blitzed them out of the building with a stunning 23–0 opening run and cruised to a 146–112 blowout at Madison Square Garden, one of their most dominant performances of the season.
A 23–0 Start That Felt Like a Playoff Avalanche
From the opening tip, this looked less like a regular-season Friday night and more like a team sending a message.
MSG Network called it a
“record breaking 23-0 start” as the Knicks completely smothered Utah on both ends before the Jazz even got on the board. New York’s defense forced misses and turnovers, while the offense flowed with pace, ball movement, and relentless shot-making.
By the end of the first quarter, the competitive portion of the game was essentially over. Commentators described it as a
blowout “from the opening tip to the final buzzer” that “demoralized the Jazz immediately.”
Brunson Leads, McBride Explodes, Knicks’ Depth Shines
The Knicks’ attack was balanced but headlined by two guards who set the tone all night.
-
Jalen Brunson:
-
33 points-
6 three-pointers- 4 assists, 2 rebounds
Brunson controlled the tempo and shredded Utah’s defense from deep and in the midrange, looking every bit like an All-Star-level floor general.
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Miles “Deuce” McBride:
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22 points off the bench- 7-of-11 from the field
- 7-of-10 from three
- 3 rebounds, 3 assists
McBride turned the game into a shooting clinic, repeatedly punishing Utah for giving him daylight on the perimeter. His performance added an exclamation point to a night where the Knicks’
bench production matched their starters’ intensity.
Multiple Knicks finished in double figures, as highlighted across game recaps and highlight reels, underscoring just how overwhelming the offense was once the floodgates opened.
Jazz Overwhelmed Early, Never Recover
For Utah, this was the kind of night every team dreads on the road.
-
Lauri Markkanen led the Jazz with
18 points and 9 rebounds, but the impact was muted by the early deficit.
- Utah struggled to find rhythm, falling behind by such a massive margin so quickly that the rest of the game felt like damage control.
At one point, commentary noted the Jazz’s struggles at the free-throw line and the Knicks’ ability to keep pressure on with multiple players in double figures, widening the gap whenever Utah threatened to show signs of life.
Defensively, the Jazz had no answers for New York’s spacing and guard play. Offensively, any mini-runs they tried to mount were drowned out by the Knicks’ shot-making and depth.
Where the Teams Stand Now
The stakes of the result go beyond just one box score:
-
New York Knicks:
- Improve to
15–7 on the season
- Continue to establish themselves as one of the Eastern Conference’s most consistent teams
- Get a confidence boost from a dominant home win and a historic start
-
Utah Jazz:
- Drop to
8–14- Continue to search for consistency and answers on both ends of the floor
For the Knicks, this game reinforces a few key themes of their season:
elite guard play, growing depth, and a defensive identity that can translate into instant offense. For the Jazz, it’s a sharp reminder of the gap that still exists between them and the league’s better-balanced rosters.
Why This Win Feels Bigger Than the Score
Yes, it’s one regular-season win. But the way New York did it matters.
- A
23–0 run to start a game doesn’t just happen — it reflects preparation, focus, and readiness from the opening tip.
- The Knicks didn’t relax after the early avalanche; they
sustained dominance, something good teams must learn to do against weaker opponents.
- Role players like McBride stepping up with big nights suggests the supporting cast is catching up to Brunson’s steady excellence.
For a fanbase that lives and dies with every possession at The Garden, this was the kind of night that fuels belief — not just in a playoff run, but in a team identity built on toughness, depth, and fireworks from the backcourt.
What to Watch Next
Looking ahead:
- The Knicks return quickly to home action, with MSG Network already hyping their next matchup at Madison Square Garden.
- How Utah responds after such a humbling loss will say a lot about their resilience and locker-room leadership.
If this Knicks–Jazz game is any indication, New York is not just winning — they’re starting to
impose their will early and often. And in an NBA where momentum and swagger matter, that 23–0 start might be remembered as more than just a stat line.
Sources
1. JAZZ at KNICKS | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS | December 5, 2025
2. Knicks Defeat Jazz After Stunning 23-0 Start - YouTube
3. New York Knicks vs Utah Jazz Full Game Highlights - YouTube
