The Knicks overcame a largest deficit of 16 points and tied the game with eight ticks left in the fourth quarter, but Jalen Brunson‘s foul on Aaron Holiday with tenths of a second to go gave the Rockets decisive free throws and handed New York a 105-103 loss.

Four things to know from Monday’s game

1. Without Isaiah Hartenstein, an undermanned New York rotation turned to Jericho Sims in the starting lineup that included Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, Josh Hart and Precious Achiuwa. Sims scored four points on 2-of-3 shooting while grabbing seven rebounds and committing four fouls in 29 minutes.

Achiuwa, who also committed four fouls, provided a needed presence in the post with his game-high 17 rebounds in 38 minutes. He added eight points on 4-of-8 shooting.

2. Brunson experienced an off night overall, highlighted by his 10-for-25 mark from the field. Through the struggles, he still managed 27 points while adding four rebounds and seven assists in 39 minutes.

Twice in the third quarter’s final minute, Brunson tied the game on his buckets at the 2:45 and 23-second points. Jabari Smith Jr.‘s triple with five seconds left gave the Rockets back a 74-71 lead after the Knicks outscored them 28-17 in the period.

With eight seconds left in the fourth quarter, Brunson tied the game on a step-back jumper over Dillon Brooks. Moments later, though, Brunson made contact with Holiday on a last-second heave beyond the arc and Holiday made two of the three free throws to cement the 105-103 final in favor of Houston (24-29).

3. As New York (33-21) made its pivotal third-quarter charge, it rolled with the same five players — Brunson, DiVincenzo, Hart, Achiuwa and Sims — for all 12 minutes. Down 57-43 at halftime, the Knicks’ 28-point period included 13 from Brunson, who came alive after a first half that saw him score seven on 2-of-11 shooting.

4. Off the bench, New York’s acquisitions at the trade deadline — former Detroit Pistons Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks — turned in mixed results. While Bogdanovic hit some shots down the stretch, including a triple with 5:33 left to bring the score within 91-89, he ultimately struggled from deep and posted a 1-for-5 clip.

Bogdanovic finished with 15 points on 7-of-13 shooting in 23 minutes. Burks added five points on 1-of-8 shooting over 17 minutes, including a 1-for-5 mark from deep.

Highlights

What’s next

The Knicks’ three-game road trip continues with Wednesday’s 7 p.m. tip-off at the Orlando Magic.