Jalen Brunson had an impressive performance with 26 points and 11 assists, guiding the New York Knicks to a dominant 134-106 win against the Washington Wizards on Monday evening, marking the Wizards’ ninth consecutive loss.
Karl-Anthony Towns contributed significantly with 24 points and 12 rebounds in just 25 minutes of play. The Knicks demonstrated their prowess from the very beginning, scoring 40 points in the first quarter and adding 36 points in the third. By the end of the third period, they had established a commanding lead of 109-75.
With an impressive 20 of 40 shooting from beyond the arc, the Knicks achieved their highest scoring total of the season, coming within reach of their largest margin of victory. Off the bench, Cam Payne made an impact by going 5 for 6 from three-point range, finishing with 17 points, while OG Anunoby added 16 points to the tally.
For the Wizards, Bub Carrington, Jonas Valanciunas, and Corey Kispert each scored 18 points, but their efforts were not enough to change the outcome.
**Key Takeaways:**
The Wizards started off well with two initial wins to reach a 2-2 record. However, they have since faltered, failing to win and losing nearly every game, often by significant margins. In contrast, the Knicks approached the game with energy and focus, defying expectations for a lackluster performance after a back-to-back game, allowing their starters some extra rest as they prepare for an upcoming long trip.
**Key Moment:**
Reserve player Pacome Dadiet made his presence felt by successfully hitting his first two three-point attempts in the second quarter, contributing to the Knicks’ exceptional shooting from beyond the arc at 9 for 12 at that point in the game.
**Key Stat:**
Brunson’s shooting improved significantly; he drained five three-pointers and shot 9 for 15 overall after struggling in the previous game against Brooklyn, where he connected on only 3 of 14 attempts and missed all five three-point attempts.
**Upcoming Games:**
The Knicks will embark on a five-game road trip starting Wednesday against the Suns and will not return home until December. Meanwhile, the Wizards will host the Boston Celtics on Friday.