New York Knicks: Who stepped up against the Charlotte Hornets on Nov. 7?

Kristaps Porzingis

Kristaps Porzingis struggled with foul trouble in the first half, but this was yet another explosive scoring performance by the franchise player. He poured in 19 points during the first half alone, shooting 7-of-10 from the field and 3-of-6 from distance through two quarters.

Porzingis was quiet for most of the second half, but it was during the clutch that he maintained his early candidacy for the 2017-18 NBA MVP award.

Porzingis continued to score at a legitimately elite level, finishing with 28 points on 10-of-15 shooting from the field. He also shot 4-of-8 from distance and 4-of-4 from the free throw line, adding five rebounds, three blocks, and an assist in just 29 minutes of action.

Porzingis scored seven points in the final 2:32 alone, thus adding to his growing resume of clutch shots and dynamic scoring performances.

Porzingis tied the game at 111-111 with 2:32 remaining in the fourth quarter by knocking down a pair of high-pressure free throws. He then buried a three-point field goal with 1:49 remaining, thus giving New York its first lead since the first quarter.

Capped off by yet another timely bucket that gave the Knicks a 116-113 lead with roughly 11 seconds remaining, Porzingis proved to be the closer New York needed him to be.