It’s incredible just how quickly the mood around a team can change. 

It was just last week that the Knicks looked lost, having dropped nine of 11 games. Jalen Brunson was asking his teammates to “care” more than they had been showing. Their contender chops were being questioned. 

And just like that, that discourse is on the back burner. The dominant team that was present in the beginning of the season has re-emerged. 

The Knicks (30-18) thumped the Blazers 127-97 on Friday night at Madison Square Garden, their fifth straight win. Now three games under .500, the Blazers aren’t exactly a huge test. But they do represent the third team currently in the playoff picture that the Knicks have beaten in this streak. 

Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks reacts after hitting a 3-point shot in the second half at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York, Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. JASON SZENES/ NY POST

“We went through a little bit of adversity in terms of our wins and losses,” coach Mike Brown said. “Our guys just kind of stayed with it. We kept trying to help them as best we could. Those guys stayed with it, they stayed together. This is a veteran group that has been through a lot. They figured out what they needed to do to play at a high level. They’re going out there and showing it.” 

Off nights for Brunson are rare. Two in a row? That almost never happens. After finishing with just 13 points and battling an illness in the Knicks’ win over the Raptors on Wednesday, he recorded a team-high 26 points Friday. His four-point play at the end of the first quarter gave the Knicks an early 15-point lead. 

OG Anunoby added 24 points — 10 of which came in the fourth quarter as he took over. He was an efficient 10-for-17 from the field and 4-for-8 from 3-point range. Josh Hart added 20 points, six rebounds and five assists. 

Karl-Anthony Towns was passive offensively, saving some of his energy for the boards. He ended up with 14 points and 20 rebounds — six of which were offensive. His quick outlets after rebounds helped get the Knicks going in transition. He had just five points entering the fourth quarter. 

OG Anunoby had a strong game for the Knicks in their win over Portland. JASON SZENES/ NY POST

After falling apart during their downturn, a dramatic defensive turnaround is largely what has been behind this Knicks upswing. It was evident again Friday. 

“I think we’re trusting each other more,” Hart said of their defense. “Obviosuly, during that skid, during film and all that, we had guys talk and that was one thing, I think [Miles McBride] said, we gotta make sure we continue to trust each other. When you’re on the ball, trust that the guys are gonna be in the shifts for you. Somebody gets blown by, the big steps up, the big has a trust that the guard is gonna sink into his man, someone is gonna X out. 

“I think we’re just continuing to gain that trust. I think we’re communicating more on the defensive end. You do that, that helps the trust area.” 

They’ve held opponents to under 100 points in four of five games in this streak. 

Josh Hart of the New York Knicks goes up for a shot as Donovan Clingan of the Portland Trail Blazers defends. JASON SZENES/ NY POST

They limited Deni Avdija, one of the league’s breakout stars this year, to just 11 points on 4-for-14 shooting from the field. 

“I think we’re a little bit more connected than we’ve been,” Brunson said. “Gotta continue to build off it and keep having each other’s backs. I think, most importantly, our attention to detail. I’m gonna keep stressing that is very important for us. 

The Knicks used a 9-0 run to start the second quarter to take a 24-point lead. The Blazers trimmed that to a 10-point deficit by halftime, but the Knicks began the second half with a 10-3 run to go up 17 and regain command. The Blazers never seriously threatened to make it interesting. Brown was able to empty his bench with just over four minutes remaining. And Tyler Kolek had 13 off the bench — 10 in the fourth quarter. 

Friday was the fourth wire-to-wire win of the season for the Knicks. A blowout loss to the Mavericks at MSG represented their low point this year. But they didn’t let it go any farther. Five straight wins later, their mojo is back. 

The Lakers on Sunday will be the biggest test of this Knicks resurgence. But compared to where it was trending not too long ago, this is a strong response.