Jalen Brunson scored 32 points as the New York Knicks extended their winning streak to seven games with a 121-116 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday.

Brunson led a balanced team effort, with seven Knicks players reaching double figures, while Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby each added 21 points at Madison Square Garden.

The result keeps New York firmly in the hunt for the No.2 seed in the Eastern Conference, maintaining pressure on the Boston Celtics in the playoff race.

With under three weeks left in the regular season, the New York Knicks sit third in the Eastern Conference with a 48-25 record, just behind the second-placed Boston Celtics on 47-24, while the Detroit Pistons lead the standings at 52-19.

Zion Williamson top-scored with 22 points for the New Orleans Pelicans, who have already been ruled out of playoff contention in the Western Conference.

Elsewhere, Donovan Mitchell delivered a standout performance with 42 points as the Cleveland Cavaliers secured a 136-131 win over the Orlando Magic.

That result marked a fourth consecutive victory for Cleveland, lifting them to fourth place in the Eastern Conference with a 45-27 record.

The Charlotte Hornets kept their playoff hopes alive with an emphatic 134-90 victory over the Sacramento Kings.

Charlotte are one of three teams clustered in the middle of the Eastern Conference standings, all holding identical 38-34 records.

The Philadelphia 76ers sit just above them at 39-33, narrowly outside the automatic playoff spots, with the Atlanta Hawks occupying that final guaranteed place on 40-22.