The Knicks entered this game coming off a win against Chicago the day prior 128-116 at Madison Square Garden. The Wizards got blown out at home against the Orlando Magic 125-94 Saturday, November 1. The Knicks started off the game very slow, as the Wizards led as many as 10 points after the 1st quarter. It was a balanced effort in the first quarter for the Wizards. Kyshawn George and Alex Sarr led the way with 5 each. Karl-Anthony Towns asserted his dominance, having 8 points in the first quarter along with two threes. Jalen Brunson also chipped in 7 points in the quarter.
In the 2nd quarter, the Knicks bench stepped up as Jordan Clarkson, Miles McBride, and Josh Hart . Towns had a major poster on Alex Sarr in the 2nd as the Garden Crowd erupted. With the quarter winding down the crowd would erupt again as Towns hoisted a three and got fouled. He completed the 4-point play. The Knicks led at the half 57-54. The Knicks outscored them 35-24 in the second quarter.
In the 2nd half, the Knicks would keep on rolling. In the 3rd quarter, the Knicks would outscore Washington 41-24. The Knicks had their largest lead of the game of 26 points after a Jordan Clarkson three. As a team the Knicks had 6 threes as a unit in the 3rd quarter. The Knicks would continue their momentum in the 4th quarter as they got the win and blew out the Wizards 119-102. Alex Sarr led the way for the Wizards with 19 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. Kyshawn George, Bilal Coulibaly, and Corey Kispert had 15 points of their own as well. Karl-Anthony Towns had his best game of the season with 33 points and 13 rebounds along with 5 assists. OG Anunoby recorded a season-high in steals with 5 on the night. Jordan Clarkson had 15 points off the bench and Josh Hart off the bench as well had 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists.
KAT had his best performance of the season as a Knick after struggling to find his role within the new offense initiated by head Coach Mike Brown. The Knicks momentum started to surge in the third quarter after having a three point lead at halftime to push it to their largest lead at 26.
Mike Brown had thoughts about this in the press conference “Our last two games in the the third quarter in Chicago and here we outscored them 37-29 and tonight it was 41-24, and so our guys and halftime is going to keep giving it to them because we come out these last two games locked in and ready to go now. Did I know we were going to outscore them 41-24 no, but are we capable yes and like I said it started defensively for us which gave us an opportunity to get out and run and shoot that basketball in transition.”
The Wizards next play against the Boston Celtics on the road this Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. The Knicks will remain home as they face the Minnesota Timberwolves this Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. The final score was 119-102 in favor of the New York Knicks.
