Immediately, the Knicks are discovering their rhythm, successful 4 of their final 5 video games.
That streak might simply have been 5 straight if not for a controversial foul name on Josh Hart within the last seconds of a Nov. 13 recreation towards the Chicago Bulls. Hart’s brush towards Coby White’s afro on a determined three-point try despatched White to the road for 3 free throws, handing the Knicks a gut-wrenching one-point loss.
However Monday night time’s recreation left no room for crunch-time drama. The Knicks jumped all around the Wizards within the opening minutes and by no means relented, cruising to a wire-to-wire 134-106 victory at Madison Sq. Backyard.
This was a recreation that felt over nearly as quickly because it started. Fueled by their strongest offensive exhibiting of the younger season — and a woeful Wizards protection — the Knicks opened the primary quarter with a 40-point explosion, their highest-scoring quarter to this point this season. They constructed a 34-point lead by the third quarter and despatched followers dwelling early with one of the crucial dominant performances of the season.
The win marked the Knicks’ first three-game successful streak of the season and moved them to 8-6, a modest milestone for a group with championship aspirations after blockbuster trades for Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Cities.
With momentum on their aspect, the Knicks now face a five-game, 10-day highway journey with stops in Phoenix, Utah, Denver, Dallas, and Charlotte. They’ll hit the highway two video games above .500 for the primary time this season, prepared to check their progress towards stiffer competitors.
Jalen Brunson and Cities placed on a clinic, combining for 50 factors on an environment friendly 17-of-29 capturing from the sphere and a scorching 8-of-13 from past the arc. Cities dominated the glass, grabbing 12 rebounds to associate with 3 assists, whereas Brunson dished out 11 assists with out a single turnover. Each stars have now recorded double-doubles in consecutive video games, underscoring their rising chemistry because the engine of the Knicks’ new offense.
Bridges and Hart chipped in 14 factors apiece, whereas Cam Payne had his greatest outing of the season with 17 factors, together with 5-of-6 capturing from downtown. OG Anunoby added 16 factors on 50% capturing, and Jericho Sims introduced the Backyard crowd to its ft with a ferocious poster dunk over Wizards star Kyle Kuzma.
SIMS GOT 🆙
… and so did the bench 🤣 pic.twitter.com/obnPcRc3wx
Even rookie Pacome Dadiet had his second, coming off the bench to hit 3-of-6 from deep for 9 factors. It was his first recreation this season with a number of three-pointers, a confidence enhance for the younger prospect.
Defending the three-point line has been a persistent problem for the Knicks this season, however they restricted Washington to 11-of-33 from past the arc on Monday. Nonetheless, they misplaced observe of Corey Kispert and Carlton Carrington, who mixed for eight threes.
Extra impressively, the Knicks clamped down on the Wizards’ prime scorers. Kuzma managed simply 11 factors, whereas Jordan Poole was held to a quiet eight factors on seven shot makes an attempt.
The Wizards (2-11) are firmly within the NBA Draft Lottery dialog, and whereas the Knicks dealt with enterprise, the extent of competitors will rise considerably in the course of the upcoming highway journey. Phoenix could also be with out Kevin Durant, however Denver stays a formidable opponent due to two-time MVP Nikola Jokic. Dallas is surging, and Utah’s scrappy type may be tough.
For now, the Knicks will take the wins nonetheless they arrive. Momentum is constructing, and all this group wants is a little bit little bit of a runway earlier than it takes flight.
Initially Printed: November 18, 2024 at 10:00 PM EST
