The Knicks snapped their two-game losing streak with a much-needed 122-103 win over the league-worst Washington Wizards on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden.
Here are some takeaways…
– The Knicks' offense has struggled mightily with captain clutch Jalen Brunson sidelined for the past eight games due to his right ankle injury, but they were finally able to receive the big-time shooting performance that they've been looking for to pull out a much-needed win in this one.
One of the biggest reasons behind their back-to-back losses in San Antonio and Charolette was slow offensive starts. New York finally came out flying in this one, shooting an even 50 percent from the field (four threes) to open an early advantage, which they barely held onto.
– New York's lineup did take another big hit coming into the night, as Miles McBride was ruled out with a groin injury after attempting to go through pregame warmups, so Cameron Payne was inserted into the starting five and he provided a nice boost on both ends of the floor.
The veteran guard led the way in the first quarter, knocking down a pair of threes to help the Knicks open an early advantage. He went on to finish with 13 points on 4-of-12 shooting from the field (all threes) while dishing six assists and reeling in four rebounds in his second start of the year.
– Mikal Bridges put together one of his best halves of the season. After a quiet showing in the first, he was lights out during the second quarter, picking up 20 of his 27 points on the night — including a stretch where he knocked down four consecutive threes to help put the game out of reach.
– Rookie point guard Tyler Kolek took advantage of that stretch, as he picked up four points and a career-high seven assists while playing the whole second quarter. The youngster has been back-and-forth between the pros and Westchester this season, and this was his first time seeing first half minutes since the beginning of the new year.
– Karl-Anthony Towns was quiet during the first half, but he made his mark early and often in the second, scoring or assisting on five of the Knicks' first six buckets in the third quarter. The big man made some clutch buckets down the stretch and finished with 31 points and 11 rebounds.
– OG Anunoby sat during the second quarter after picking up three early fouls, but he was also tremendous offensively, picking up 23 points while knocking down four of five threes. Josh Hart had just nine points but he topped the double-digit mark in rebounds again, bringing in 11.
– The Knicks did have a little bit of a scare late in the third quarter and early in the fourth, as Washington was able to cut a 33-point deficit all the way back down to four, but they locked in during the final frame and held on to pick up their 44th win of the season.
– MSG broke out in PJ Tucker chants for the second straight home blowout, but the veteran didn't see the floor.
Game MVP: Mikal Bridges
Bridges simply couldn't miss during the second quarter, and it helped the Knicks put this one out of reach.
Highlights
Double figures in the first quarter for Cam Payne ♨️
(via @nyknicks) pic.twitter.com/LJSvuLMtvj
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) March 23, 2025
OG lighting it up from outside!
(via @nyknicks) pic.twitter.com/oxWF0BiLxN
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) March 23, 2025
Tyler Kolek dimes! pic.twitter.com/XEqe9hqHkd
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) March 23, 2025
MIKAL BRIDGES CAN'T MISS pic.twitter.com/D90oc6R8am
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) March 23, 2025
Whats next
The Knicks have two days off before they host the Dallas Mavericks at MSG on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
