The New York Knicks beat the Memphis Grizzlies 130-119 on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at FedExForum, taking control early behind OG Anunoby’s 25-point, 13-rebound performance. New York improved to 49-28 with a fast-starting offensive display, while Memphis dropped to 25-51 despite a steadier effort over the final three quarters.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

First Quarter

New York set the tone immediately with a 48-point opening quarter and built an 18-point lead after one, 48-30. The Knicks moved the ball cleanly, found quality looks throughout the period, and put Memphis on the defensive from the start. That first 12 minutes became the defining stretch of the night.

Second Quarter

Memphis responded with better rhythm in the second and narrowly outscored New York 32-31 in the quarter. Even so, the Grizzlies only made a small dent in the margin, and the Knicks still carried a 79-62 lead into halftime. New York’s first-half execution gave it enough cushion to manage the rest of the game.

Third Quarter

The Grizzlies again showed life in the third, winning the quarter 28-20. Memphis tightened up defensively and generated enough offense to trim the deficit, but New York avoided a major swing by limiting mistakes and continuing to get contributions across the lineup. The Knicks entered the fourth ahead 99-90.

Fourth Quarter

Any serious comeback push was answered in the final period. New York outscored Memphis 31-29 in the fourth, regaining control whenever the Grizzlies threatened to get closer. The Knicks closed the game with steady shot-making and playmaking, finishing off a solid 11-point road win.

Key Performers

OG Anunoby, Knicks: Anunoby led all scorers with 25 points and added 13 rebounds, giving New York production on both ends and on the glass.

Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks: Towns directed much of New York’s offense with a team-high 11 assists, a notable playmaking number from the center spot as the Knicks totaled 36 assists.

GG Jackson, Grizzlies: Jackson paced Memphis with 20 points and continued to provide scoring even after the Grizzlies fell behind early.

Cam Spencer, Grizzlies: Spencer handed out 8 assists and helped organize Memphis offensively as the home team looked to climb back into the game.

NerdSports Stat: New York scored 48 points in the first quarter and still finished with 36 assists for the game, meaning the Knicks combined elite early scoring with sustained ball movement instead of relying on isolation to protect the lead.

Game Analysis

The game turned on New York’s opening burst. Scoring 48 points in the first quarter gave the Knicks immediate control, and that margin changed the shape of the night. Memphis actually outscored New York by nine points across the second and third quarters combined, but the early deficit remained too large to fully overcome.

New York’s team numbers explain why it was able to hold that edge. The Knicks shot 55.2 percent from the field, connected on 13 of 32 from three-point range, and made 21 of 24 free throws. Just as important, they paired that efficiency with 36 assists and a 49-20 rebounding advantage. Those extra possessions and second-chance control helped steady the game whenever Memphis started to build momentum.

Memphis shot well too, finishing at 51.3 percent overall and 44.4 percent from three, but the Grizzlies could not match New York on the glass. A 29-rebound gap is difficult to overcome, especially against a team already scoring efficiently. Memphis also needed a near-perfect defensive stretch after the first quarter and never quite found it.

For the Knicks, this was a strong example of balanced road offense. Anunoby supplied scoring and rebounding, Towns facilitated, and the overall passing level kept the Grizzlies rotating throughout the night. For Memphis, the encouraging part was the response after the first quarter, but the opening 12 minutes proved too costly.

Closing Context

With the win, New York moved to 49-28 and strengthened its position in the Eastern Conference playoff race heading into the final stretch of the regular season. Memphis fell to 25-51, and while the Grizzlies showed competitive stretches after halftime, this result underscored how important full-game consistency remains late in the season.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the Memphis Grizzlies vs New York Knicks game on April 1, 2026?

New York Knicks defeated Memphis Grizzlies 130-119 on April 1, 2026.

How many points did OG Anunoby score?

OG Anunoby scored 25 points on 55.2% shooting.

What are New York Knicks’s standings after this game?

After the win, New York Knicks sits 49-28 in the Eastern Conference.

Who was the best player in the game?

OG Anunoby was the standout performer with 25 points and 13 rebounds.