New York Knicks Beat Washington Wizards 145-113 Behind a Great Game From Karl-Anthony Towns

Kimberly McClary
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) runs up court.

The New York Knicks hosted the Washington Wizards last night at Madison Square Garden and recorded their sixth consecutive win, bringing their overall win streak to 12 games against the franchise. The arena was buzzing, and a young, injury-depleted Wizards’ team had its work cut out for them.

With a healthy team and a day’s rest, the Knicks were more than ready to send the Wizards back home to Washington with yet another loss, and that’s exactly what they did. Scoring almost 150 points, the Knicks were on a mission to show just how dominant they truly are.

Second Quarter Cruise Control

The game started a little slow until around the three-minute mark of the first quarter, when the Knicks were able to extend their lead by 10 points. Jalen Brunson set the tone early, shooting 50% from the field in the first quarter, contributing 12 points of the Knicks’ 32 to the Wizards’ 21. 

The second quarter started close as the Wizards were able to shrink the lead to within one after a few sloppy plays by the Knicks. Bench players Jose Alvarado (8 points, 8 assists, 1 steal) and Jordan Clarkson (8 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists) were able to get the Knicks back on track with a few crafty offensive plays. With a little over eight minutes remaining in the second quarter, the game was tied at 38. From then on, the Knicks were on cruise control, going on an 18-4 run.

Youth vs Maturity

Without Trae Young, Anthony Davis, and Alex Sarr, the Wizards relied heavily on their young Guards Jaden Hardy and Bilal Coulibaly. Hardy, who was silent throughout the first quarter, came off the bench and contributed 29 minutes, recording a team-high 25 points. Coulibably added 13 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. 

Although they played hard and gave a valiant effort, the game ultimately belonged to the Knicks the rest of the way. The third quarter began with the Knicks up on the Wizards 68-52. The Knicks put on an offensive clinic for the rest of the third quarter. Brunson finished the game with 23 points and 4 assists. 

Josh Hart returned after missing the last game against the Brooklyn Nets. He contributed 16 points, going 3-of-3 from beyond the arc, and grabbed 6 rebounds while dishing out 4 assists. Mikal Bridges added 14 points and 6 assists.

Towns Records 50th Double-Double of the Season

Karl-Anthony Towns lived up to the hype yet again, recording his 50th double-double of the 2025-2026 NBA season. He finished the game with 26 points, 16 rebounds, and 3 assists in just 26 minutes of play. This was his fourth consecutive double-double, and he currently leads the league in most double-doubles.

He is ultimately the reason the Knicks have been on a six-game winning streak, as he has accomplished a double-double in each of the wins, averaging 22.4 points and 12.2 rebounds. 

FAQ Section

Q: What was the final score?  

A: 145-113

Q: Who was the MVP of the game?  

A: Karl-Anthony Towns

Q: What was the turning point? 

A:  The Knicks went on an 18-4 run in the second quarter. 

What’s Next For Each Team?  

After winning their sixth straight game, the Knicks will stay in New York for one more matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday. They will then head to Charlotte to face off against the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday. This Knicks’ win, combined with the Celtics loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, brings the Knicks 0.5 games behind the Celtics for second place in the Eastern Conference.

The Wizards will look to snap their 16-game losing streak as they continue their current road trip in the West. Their next game is against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday. After that, they will remain on the road to face off against the Golden State Warriors on Friday.