Clippers star Kawhi Leonard, right, and the New York Knicks’ Jalen Brunson battle for the ball during the first half on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson gestures after making a 3-point shot during the first half of a game against the Clippers on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
Clippers guard James Harden drives to the basket as New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns defends during the first half on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
Clippers guard Kris Dunn, right, and New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson battle for a rebound during the first half on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
Clippers star Kawhi Leonard looks to pass the ball as New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson, left, and New York Knicks forward Og Anunoby defend during the first half on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (23) and Clippers center Ivica Zubac, right, watch the ball go out of bounds during the first half on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns, left, and Clippers guard Kobe Sanders, right, pursue a loose ball during the first half on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
New York Knicks guard Mikal Bridges, right, reacts after a turnover during the first half of a game against the Clippers on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
Clippers star Kawhi Leonard (2) is defended by New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby, far left, and Miles McBride, right, during the first half on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
Clippers guard Kris Dunn, right, takes a shot as New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson defends during the first half on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown claps on the sideline during a timeout in the first half of their game against the Clippers on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
Clippers guard James Harden, center, drives to the basket surrounded by New York Knicks defenders during the first half on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
Clippers forward John Collins, left, and the New York Knicks’ Guerschon Yabusele go after the ball during the first half on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
New York Knicks guard Miles McBride, right, points to a teammate after scoring as Clippers guard Kobe Sanders looks on during the first half on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
Clippers center Ivica Zubac catches a pass as New York Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns, back, defends during the first half on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
New York Knicks guard Jordan Clarkson gestures after making a 3-point shot during the first half of a game against the Clippers on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Clippers star James Harden, middle, collides with New York Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns, left, during the first half on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue looks on during the first half of their game against the New York Knicks on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
Clippers star Kawhi Leonard takes a shot during the first half of a game against the New York Knicks on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
Clippers star James Harden, left, and the New York Knicks’ Mikal Bridges battle for a loose ball during the first half on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Clippers star James Harden heads for the basket as New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson, left, and guard Jordan Clarkson, right, defend during the first half on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Clippers star James Harden heads for the basket as New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson, left, and guard Jordan Clarkson, right, defend during the first half on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
New York Knicks forward Guerschon Yabusele (28) attempts a dunk as Clippers center Ivica Zubac (40) defends during the second half on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
New York Knicks forward Guerschon Yabusele, right, gestures after making a 3-point shot next to teammate Jalen Brunson, left, during the second half of a game against the Clippers on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
Clippers guard Kris Dunn, right, goes up for a rebound during the second half of a game against the New York Knicks on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
New York Knicks guard Miles McBride reacts during the second half of a game against the Clippers on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
Clippers center Ivica Zubac, right, knocks the ball away from New York Knicks guard Miles McBride as he attempts a 3-point shot during the second half on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns drives to the basket as Clippers center Ivica Zubac defends during the second half on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns reacts to not getting a foul call during the second half of a game against the Clippers on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
New York Knicks guard Jordan Clarkson, left, drives to the basket as Clippers guard Kobe Sanders defends during the second half on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, right, tries to control the ball as Clippers guard James Harden defends during the second half on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Clippers guard James Harden reacts to an official’s call during the second half of a game against the New York Knicks on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson gestures after scoring during the second half of a game against the Clippers on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
New York Knicks guard Tyler Kolek (13) drives to the basket past Clippers forward Nicolas Batum (33) during the second half on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
Injured New York Knicks guard Josh Hart, center, sits on the bench next to teammate Tyler Kolek (13) during the first half of a game against the Clippers on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
Clippers forwards John Collins, left, and Nicolas Batum, right, battle for position with the New York Knicks’ Guerschon Yabusele during the second half on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby dunks during the second half of a game against the Clippers on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
Clippers guard Kris Dunn reacts during the second half of a game against the New York Knicks on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
The New York Knicks’ Mikal Bridges celebrates after making a 3-point shot during the second half of a game against the Clippers on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Clippers star James Harden, right, collides with the New York Knicks’ Miles McBride during the second half on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
The New York Knicks’ Miles McBride, left, and Jalen Brunson (11) and Clippers guard James Harden, center, discuss possession of the ball with referee Brandon Schwab during the second half on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
New York Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns reacts during the second half of a game against the Clippers on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Members of celebrity row including Spike Lee, center left, celebrate after New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) made a 3-point shot during the second half of a game against the Clippers on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
New York Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns gestures as he takes the court before a game against the Clippers on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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Clippers star Kawhi Leonard, right, and the New York Knicks’ Jalen Brunson battle for the ball during the first half on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK — The Clippers kicked off their three-game trip with three solid quarters of basketball. They needed a fourth.
Karl-Anthony Towns had 20 points, 11 rebounds and a season-high seven assists, Jalen Brunson scored 26 points and the New York Knicks took control in the fourth quarter to hand the Clippers just their second loss in the past nine games, 123-111, on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden.
Towns bounced back from a quiet game Monday in Detroit, when he took just four shots and had only six points and six turnovers in the Knicks’ 121-90 loss that gave them their longest losing streak of the season (four games). This time, the center had 10 points in the fourth quarter to help the Knicks break open the game.
OG Anunoby added 20 points and Deuce McBride had 16 for the Knicks, who had a 24-7 run starting late in the third quarter and extending well into the fourth to turn a four-point deficit into a 105-92 advantage.
Kawhi Leonard scored 25 points (21 in the first half) to pace the Clippers, while James Harden had 23 points and nine assists after sitting out Monday’s win against Golden State because of right shoulder soreness.
The Clippers raced to a 14-5 lead, but the Knicks answered with eight straight points and the game was close for the first three quarters. The Clippers were up 85-81 late in the third before the Knicks finished strong to take a 90-87 edge to the fourth.
Towns then started the period with a three-point play and a follow shot, and later had four points during an 8-0 surge that pushed a five-point lead to 105-92.
Ivica Zubac had 22 points on 11-of-14 shooting to go with 11 rebounds for the Clippers, who held a 56-51 lead at halftime. John Collins added 18 points and 10 rebounds.
Harden shot 6 for 17 from the field but 4 for 7 from 3-point range and made all seven of his free throws in 38 minutes. Leonard was 10 for 20 from the field (3 for 7 from behind the arc) and added four assists and three steals.
Mikal Bridges added 15 points for the Knicks, while Jordan Clarkson added 12 points off the bench.
The Knicks finished with 31 assists two nights after registering a season-low 15 in their loss to the Eastern Conference-leading Pistons.
UP NEXT
The Clippers play at Brooklyn on Friday at 4:30 p.m. PT.