**ORLANDO, Fla.** — After an embarrassing defeat against the Hawks where Trae Young took center stage in celebrating on the iconic Madison Square Garden logo, the Knicks needed to prove their resilience. They found that proof Sunday night, clinching a gritty 100-91 win against the feisty Orlando Magic, despite a challenging and physical game.

Head Coach Tom Thibodeau described the contest as a “hard-fought road win”, a necessary rebound after the previous loss. The Magic, missing their star players Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner due to injuries, were still a tough opponent, boasting a perfect home record of 10-0 at the Amway Center.

With this victory, the Knicks improved their season record to 16-10, jumping ahead of the Magic (now at 17-11) for third place in the Eastern Conference. The Knicks faced several obstacles during the game, including a staggering 17 turnovers, multiple hard falls, and the troublesome presence of Magic center Mo Wagner, who couldn't be contained and finished with a remarkable 32 points.

The match was intense, featuring a flagrant foul from Karl-Anthony Towns and double technical fouls for Cam Payne and Wendell Carter Jr. amidst a scuffle that spilled over near the Knicks' bench. The officials mostly let the players battle it out on the court in a physical contest where neither side backed down.

Towns expressed satisfaction with the team’s effort, saying, “We made plays when we needed to for each other. I thought we played good defense, too.” His contribution not only included a solid scoring performance of 22 points but also an impressive 22 rebounds.

Leading the charge for the Knicks was Jalen Brunson, who was instrumental in the game. He scored a team-high 31 points, including a vital step-back 3-pointer that shifted momentum with eight minutes left on the clock. Jalen Suggs, the Magic's standout guard, struggled against Brunson, finishing a dismal 4-for-19 from the field.

Mikal Bridges also stepped up for the Knicks, contributing 17 points on an efficient 7-for-11 shooting night. The overall scoring performance of the Magic, reminiscent of basketball styles from 1994, failed to ignite their offense, evidenced by a lackluster 30% shooting from beyond the arc.

Magic Coach Jamahl Mosley lamented the tough game, saying, “It’s tough; you’re getting grabbed, you’re getting held, then you’re not making shots.” Frustration was palpable among multiple Magic players as this marked their second defeat to the Knicks in less than two weeks.

However, as the Knicks fans cheered inside the Kia Center, chants of "MVP" echoed for Brunson, reflecting the moment's electricity.

Thibodeau emphasized the importance of learning through both victories and defeats. "Sometimes you learn more from losing," he noted. "The goal is always to be playing your best at the end of the year.”

As the season unfolds, this victory serves as a reminder of the Knicks' potential and resilience. The lessons learned in adversity could fuel their journey toward a successful playoff run.