Jan 25, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) drives against Sacramento Kings guard Kevin Huerter (9) in the third quarter at Madison Square Garden.

The New York Knicks are establishing themselves as true title contenders, as they secured another win over a formidable Western Conference by defeating the Denver Nuggets 122-112 Wednesday night.

Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone gave New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson credit for his great third quarter.

The Knicks will play their next five games at home, but all will be against formidable Western Conference opponents beginning with Saturday’s matchup against the surging Kings.

They are physical, fast-paced, and hold the Western Conference’s No. 3 seed ... Karl-Anthony Towns added 24 points and 11 rebounds, while Jalen Brunson contributed 20 points and six assists.

New York will try to keep its four-game home win streak alive when the Knicks play Los Angeles. The teams match up Saturday for the first time this season.

The star Spurs center becomes the first San Antonio player since Dejounte Murray in 2021-2022 to make the All-Star squad.

The Knicks will have two representatives in the starting lineup during the NBA All-Star Game on Feb 16. in San Francisco, Calif.

Joining Wembanyama as a West reserve are Jaren Jackson Jr., Jalen Williams, Anthony Edwards, Anthony Davis, James Harden and Alperen Şengün. The seven reserves from the East are Jaylen Brown, Pascal Siakam, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, Cade Cunningham, Damian Lillard and Tyler Herro, as selected by the conference’s coaches.

Northwestern takes on the No. 17 Wisconsin Badgers after Jalen Leach scored 23 points in Northwestern's 79-72 loss to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.

Houston hosts Brooklyn in non-conference action. Saturday's matchup is the first of the season for the two squads.