Another 30 Point Night For Brunson
Photo: Michael Henriquez – NY Beacon
Madison Square Garden
By Shara Talia Taylor
| Knicks Drop WizardsPhoto: Michael Henriquez – NY BeaconMadison Square Garden |
The New York Knicks returned to Madison Square Garden for the second night of back-to-back games and won 119-102 in their match against the Washington Wizards Monday evening.
It was a slow start, but New York had a turn-around performance after the first quarter. They picked up speed and played with high energy that carried them to victory and were led by Karl-Anthony Towns.
“I thought KAT was huge,” said Knicks Head Coach Mike Brown. “We had a stretch where we couldn’t score and that’s what All-Stars do. They carry the load for you offensively and he did a great job.”
Towns had the game high 33 points and made 13 total rebounds, the most on both teams.
“Same one (mindset) as every other game: just win the game,” Towns told reporters about his mindset going into the game. “I got a chance just tonight to get some good shots up so I just wanted to capitalize on it.”
New York trailed Washington 30-22 at the end of the first quarter. They missed shots, making only nine of 26 attempted field goals and three of 13 attempted 3-pointers. While Washington made their shots, landing 13 of 18 field goals and 3 of 4 attempted 3-pointers.
The Knicks trailed most of the second quarter, but tied the game at 34 after Towns made a defensive rebound with 7:41 left until halftime and Mikal Bridges followed up with a 3-pointer, assisted by Josh Hart. Teams pushed back and forth. They were tied again at 40 after a dunk by Towns when about 5:37 remained in the quarter. A few moments later three free throws by Jordan Clarkson, followed by a 3-pointer with an assist from OG Anunoby helped push the Knicks ahead by eight points.
The Wizards fought back and had a 54-50 lead with 32 seconds before half time. Anunoby made a 3-pointer and Towns also made one, as he was fouled by Wizards Alex Sarr. The replay supported the call, Towns made a free throw, and New York led 57-54 at halftime.
New York returned from halftime with the same up-tempo pace, passing and moving the ball to evade defenders. They outscored the Wizards 41-24 in the third quarter alone and were ahead 98-78 by the end. Washington outscored New York 24-21 in the final quarter. Anunoby, Towns, Hart, Jalen Brunson, and Bridges were substituted with less than 4:30 remaining on the game clock.
“The last thing I’ll say is, we had 44 field goals and 32 of those 44 were assisted,” said Coach Brown. “Our guys did a great job of trying to share the basketball and play for one another tonight.”
Anunoby and Brunson added 16 points each. Clarkson added 15 and Hart added 12.
The Knicks took on the Minnesota Timberwolves, Towns’ former team, on Wednesday evening.
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