Jalen Brunson leads Knicks past Wizards in a close 113-109 win

In a game that kept fans on the edge of their seats, the New York Knicks successfully defeated the Washington Wizards 113-109 at the Garden.

Jalen Brunson stole the spotlight with a spectacular performance, pouring in 41 points, along with 8 rebounds and 8 assists. His scoring effort was especially evident in the fourth quarter, where he contributed a staggering 20 points. Brunson’s ability to navigate the defense and find the basket or the free throw line made him impossible to guard.

“Whatever it takes to win. Teammates and coaches have confidence in me, and I have confidence in them. We just want to win. Whatever it is, whatever needs to be done.”

– Jalen Brunson

Julius Randle delivered a solid performance with 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 steals, showcasing his all-around impact. OG Anunoby added 19 points and 7 rebounds and Isaiah Hartenstein collected 17 boards, further fortifying the Knicks’ defensive presence.

Donte DiVincenzo, Brunson’s former teammate from Villanova, contributed 19 points. DiVincenzo made six field goals, five of them from beyond the arc.

Despite the Knicks leading for the majority of the game, they faced strong resistance from the Wizards. The Wizards made an 8-0 run in the fourth quarter, narrowing the lead to 83-84. However, Brunson’s resilience propelled the Knicks to a 104-95 advantage with just under two minutes left, ultimately securing the win.

The game was closely contested. Even though one of the worst teams in the league, boasting a 7-33 record, the Wizards gave the Knicks a run for their money. They were led by Jordan Poole’s 24 points and Marvin Bagley III’s double-double of 20 points and 11 rebounds.

The Wizards never trailed by a significant margin, exchanged the lead multiple times in the second and third quarters and nearly caused a scare in the final moments when Poole made it a two point game from the free throw line with 43 seconds left. Also, they ended the first quarter on a 12-2 run to tie the game at 22 after trailing 20-10 earlier.

The Knicks failed to build a double-digit lead after the first quarter, and the absence of Josh Hart, out with knee soreness, was notably felt. Tom Thibodeau leaned heavily on his starters, playing them between 38 and 43 minutes.

With the win, the Knicks extend their impressive 8-2 record since getting Anunoby. The team now prepares for a matchup against the Toronto Raptors, who have struggled with a 4-6 record since the trade. The Raptors are 1-5 in their last 6 games.

The Knicks have an schedule ahead, with now 9 of their next 11 games scheduled at the Garden and one in Brooklyn.

Up-next: Knicks (25-17) will host the Raptors (16-26) on Saturday from 7:30pm as RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley will play their first game at the Garden in a different uniform.