Jalen Brunson delivered the performance of his season as the New York Knicks defeated the Miami Heat 132-125 at Madison Square Garden on December 21, 2025, with the Miami Heat Vs Knicks Match Player Stats headlined by a career-high 47-point showing from the Knicks’ star guard.
The result pushed New York’s record to 20-8 overall and an imposing 14-2 at home, while the Heat fell to 15-14 after losing seven of their last eight games heading into the holiday period.
Miami Heat Vs Knicks Match Player Stats: Brunson and Bridges Drive the Knicks
While Karl-Anthony Towns had just two points and six rebounds in 29 minutes, Mikal Bridges scored 24 points on 6-of-7 three-point shooting, with OG Anunoby adding all 18 of his points in the second half to shoulder the load alongside Brunson.
Brunson and Bridges combined for 45 of New York’s 66 first-half points, with the duo making nine of 13 three-pointers in the opening two quarters, including Brunson’s long-range shot with 0.8 seconds left that put New York up four at the break.
Josh Hart rounded out New York’s production with 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Brunson finished 15-of-26 from the field and a perfect 11-of-11 from the free throw line.
For Miami, Kel’el Ware delivered an outstanding double-double of 28 points and 19 rebounds, putting up the kind of numbers that kept the Heat within reach for the majority of the contest.
How the Knicks Closed Out the Miami Heat Vs Knicks Fixture
Ware made his fifth three-pointer of the night and Jaime Jaquez Jr. hit a pair of free throws that cut New York’s lead to 120-118 with 3:12 remaining, giving Miami a genuine chance to steal the result in the closing stages.
The Knicks answered with an 8-0 run, keyed by a Bridges three-pointer and three free throws from Brunson after a flagrant foul was called, ultimately putting the game beyond doubt.
New York shot 55 percent from the field and 53 percent from three, while Miami shot 47 percent from the floor and 49 percent from deep, with the Knicks’ superior free throw accuracy at 86 percent against Miami’s 74 percent proving an additional edge.
The rebounding battle was decisively in Miami’s favour at 45 to 36, but the Knicks’ efficiency from the line and a superior bench contribution ultimately proved the difference in a high-tempo Eastern Conference clash.
Miami Heat Player Stats
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | FG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kel’el Ware | 28 | 19 | — | 11/15 |
| Jaime Jaquez Jr. | 15 | — | — | — |
| Davion Mitchell | — | — | 8 | — |
| Bam Adebayo | — | — | — | — |
| Norman Powell | — | — | — | — |
New York Knicks Player Stats
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | FG | FT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jalen Brunson | 47 | — | 8 | 15/26 | 11/11 |
| Mikal Bridges | 24 | — | — | 6/7 (3PT) | — |
| OG Anunoby | 18 | — | — | — | — |
| Josh Hart | 13 | 10 | — | — | — |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | 2 | 6 | — | — | — |
Team Stats Comparison
| Stat | Miami Heat | New York Knicks |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 125 | 132 |
| Field Goal % | 47% (41/87) | 55% (47/85) |
| Three Point % | 49% (17/35) | 53% (20/38) |
| Free Throw % | 74% (26/35) | 86% (18/21) |
| Rebounds | 45 | 36 |
| Turnovers | 11 | 13 |
| Largest Lead | 10 | 11 |
| % Time Leading | 38% | 61% |
Head-to-Head Record 2025-26
| Date | Home | Away | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 26, 2025 | Miami | New York | MIA 115-107 |
| Nov 17, 2025 | Miami | New York | MIA 115-113 |
| Dec 21, 2025 | New York | Miami | NYK 132-125 |
