WASHINGTON — Josh Hart achieved an impressive performance with 23 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists, recording his third triple-double of the season. Karl-Anthony Towns contributed significantly with 32 points and 13 rebounds, leading the New York Knicks to a convincing 126-106 victory over the Washington Wizards on Monday night. This win marks the Knicks’ eighth consecutive victory.
This game was a rematch, as the two teams had faced each other just two nights prior, where the Knicks narrowly defeated the Wizards 136-132 in an overtime thriller fueled by Jalen Brunson’s astounding 55-point game.
For the Wizards, Jonas Valanciunas matched his season-high with 22 points, while both Alex Sarr and Malcolm Brogdon scored 18 points. However, the game was marred by a concerning incident when rookie guard Bub Carrington fell awkwardly while defending a player, hitting a Knicks player’s knee and subsequently the back of his head on the court. Carrington had to leave the game in a wheelchair, hiding his face, and later was ruled out due to a post-traumatic headache.
The Wizards played their second consecutive game without their leading scorer, Jordan Poole, who is sidelined with a bruised left hip. However, Kyle Kuzma made a return to the lineup after missing 12 games due to a strained left rib.
Key takeaways from the game reveal that the Knicks showcased a well-rounded team effort that proved too strong for the young Wizards, even with Brunson scoring a modest 18 points. The Wizards had initially controlled portions of the game but ultimately succumbed to their stronger opponents.
A pivotal moment in the match came from New York’s OG Anunoby, who hit two consecutive 3-pointers to break a 63-point tie with nine minutes remaining in the third quarter. From that point, the Knicks consistently maintained their advantage.
In terms of statistics, the Knicks dominated the boards, out-rebounding the Wizards 54-46, with Hart and Towns accounting for a combined total of 28 rebounds.
Looking ahead, the Knicks will host the Utah Jazz on Wednesday, while the Wizards are set to take on the Chicago Bulls at home on the same day.
