Tibbs Knicks Win 9 In A Row
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
By Shara Talia Taylor
The New York Knicks returned home after a successful road trip that concluded with back-to-back victories over the Washington Wizards at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
The 126-106 win Monday night December 30th marked the Knicks eighth straight conquest. New York increased their efforts after 136-132 overtime win to deliver on Saturday, December 28th.
“What I think is really good about this team right now is that we’re finding ways to win even when we’re not at our best and that’s something you’re going to need especially in the playoffs,” said Karl-Anthony Towns following the game.
Monday-Game 2
Towns had the game high of 32 points Monday night. He had 13 rebounds, an assist and a steal. Josh Hart added 23 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists and a steal. He earned his third triple-double of the season. Jonas Valanciunas led the Wizards with 22 points. Washington led 30-27 at the end of the first quarter, but New York bounced back in the second quarter to tie the score at 40. They soon pushed ahead 42-41 and had the lead the remainder of the game. New York led 59-57 at halftime and 97-88 at the end of the third quarter. It was an improvement from Saturday’s game.
New York shot 34.1% from the 3-point line on Monday, but made 25% of their 3-pointers on Saturday. Washington made 27.9% of their 3-pointers on Monday and 44.7% of their 3-pointers on Saturday.
Saturday-Game 1
Saturday was a nail biter as the Knicks came from behind to beat the Wizards in overtime for their first match at the Capital Center December 28.
New York may have been fatigued after travel and a 108-85 win over the Orlando Magic in Florida the night before.
Washington also won their game on December 26 against the Charlotte Hornets prior to playing the Knicks, but did not have a game on the 27th.
“It’s good to be in those late game situations and learn how to execute down the stretch both offensively and defensively,” Washington Wizards Head Coach Brian Keefe said pre-game about playing the Hornets.
Washington was tied against Charlotte in the 4th quarter then, but pushed ahead to win. Jordan Poole led them with 25 points, but did not play Saturday due to injury.
The Knicks trailed the Wizards at the end of the first and third quarters, but out-scored them 28-26 in the second quarter and 29-21 in the fourth quarter. Jalen Brunson scored a season-high 55 points. Karl Anthony-Towns added 30 points and Mikal Bridges had 21 points. Justin Champagnie led the Wizards with 31 points in the game.
Coach Thibodeau said New York had to fight to give themselves a chance to win.
“Jalen certainly, with shot making, was incredible,“ he said. “I thought Karl gave us really good minutes and Mikal was terrific. Josh with his hustle. In the end, the 4th quarter, we did what we had to do to get it done and then overtime to get it done.”
Multiple Knicks have contributed in their winning streak. The team posted on X :
“no team in NBA history has had 4 different players score 40+ points in a game before January 1.”
Bridges scored 41 points on December 25th. According to the Knicks, it was the second most points scored by a Knick on Christmas Day. Bernard King set the record of 60, 40 years ago.
“He can score the ball,” Coach Thibodeau said about Bridges during his pre-game interview. “He can play-make. He’s terrific defensively.”
The Knicks returned home to take on the Utah Jazz Wednesday night.
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