Knicks defeat Wizards in preseason, 117-94, but still have much room to improve

The 2-0 preseason grounds whitethorn look bully for the Knicks, but their way to triumph inactive leaves plentifulness to enactment on.

The Knicks secured a 117-94 triumph implicit the Washington Wizards successful a preseason matchup connected Wednesday,, but the dilatory commencement and inconsistent shooting signaled the request for maturation up of their regular-season opener against the Boston Celtics connected Oct. 22.

While the Knicks are inactive adjusting to their new-look roster, caput manager Tom Thibodeau is focused connected dependable betterment with conscionable 3 much tune-up games to go.

SLOW START, BRUNSON DOMINATES

The Knicks started blistery with a 16-4 pb but rapidly faltered, conceding a 14-0 tally to the Wizards and finishing the archetypal 4th down. Once again, Jalen Brunson had to enactment the discourtesy connected his back, scoring 17 of the team’s archetypal 26 points. Brunson finished the crippled with 23 points successful 23 minutes connected an businesslike 7-of-10 shooting night.

The remainder of the starting lineup, however, struggled aboriginal on, combining for conscionable 4-of-18 shooting earlier breaking the seal.

NEW YORK’S NEW BIG 3

Karl-Anthony Towns struggled early, missing his archetypal 7 shots, including 5 three-point attempts, continuing his 1-of-5 shooting show from beyond the arc successful the preseason opener.

However, Towns recovered his bushed successful the 2nd half, finishing with a game-high 25 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 blocks.

While his shooting from heavy remained off, Towns did important harm by attacking the rim and getting to the free-throw line. His 3-of-12 commencement from beyond the arc done 2 games isn’t concerning fixed his past arsenic a 40 percent shooter successful 5 of the past 7 seasons.

But this year’s Knicks discourtesy is powered by much than conscionable Towns — it’s a new-look trio: Brunson, Towns, and Bridges, who is adjusting to a caller relation connected offense. The erstwhile Nets No. 1 enactment showcased his versatility connected Wednesday, adding 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals connected businesslike 6-of-11 shooting night.

Whether cutting, spotting up, oregon facilitating, Bridges complemented the scoring efforts of some Brunson and Towns, and the 3 combined for 64 of the Knicks’ points successful the win, laying the instauration for a balanced onslaught that New York volition thin connected passim the season.

EXTENDED STARTER MINUTES

Unlike successful the opener, wherever Thibodeau constricted his starters to 15 minutes each, the archetypal portion played extended minutes connected Wednesday, with Bridges logging 31 minutes and nary starter playing less than 25. Miles McBride’s lack owed to unwellness whitethorn person forced the Knicks to spell deeper into the seat early, but Thibodeau noted pregame that his program was ever to gradually ramp up minutes.

“We’re gathering them toward the regular season,” Thibodeau said. “We’ll instrumentality it crippled by game.”

A STELLAR CAMPAIGN CONTINUES

Cameron Payne erstwhile again proved wherefore the Knicks’ beforehand bureau was truthful precocious connected him erstwhile they brought him successful this offseason. For the 2nd crippled successful a row, Payne provided a spark disconnected the bench, finishing with 14 points connected 4-of-6 shooting portion besides playing coagulated defense. His quality to propulsion the gait and sprout from region makes him a invaluable plus down Brunson.

Pregame, Thibodeau had noted however Payne’s versatility fits perfectly with the team’s three-guard lineups, though Miles McBride (under the weather) missed Wednesday’s game.

“Speed and versatility,” Thibodeau said of Payne, McBride and Landry Shamet disconnected the bench. “I deliberation each 3 are comfy playing with the shot successful their hands and playing disconnected the shot arsenic well. So it gives you a antithetic look and you tin instrumentality vantage of that. They similar to play fast, I think. Precious, erstwhile you enactment his athleticism on with it and Jericho, it’s a radical that plays precise efficaciously successful transition. And their defence is terrific“They similar to play fast, and it gives america antithetic looks.”

ROOKIE STANDOUTS

Tyler Kolek, New York’s second-round prime astatine No. 34, impressed erstwhile again with his poise and enactment disconnected the bench. In McBride’s absence, Kolek helped usher the 2nd unit, contributing 4 points, 2 assists, and 2 steals successful the archetypal half. His quality to power the tempo and marque astute plays is already catching the attraction of Knicks coaches.

There was besides an Ariel Hukporti sighting.

The Knicks’ past prime successful the 2024 draught showed flashes of what helium could bring to the rotation should helium get the opportunity. The 6-foot-11, 246-pound halfway displayed his physicality and rebounding ability, finishing with 7 points and 4 rebounds successful constricted minutes.

NEXT UP

The Knicks play 3 much preseason games–hosting the Minnesota Timberwolves connected Sunday, past the Hornets connected Oct. 15 earlier the preseason finale successful D.C. against the Wizards connected Oct. 18.

Wednesday’s triumph was a measurement successful the close direction, but the Knicks inactive person overmuch to enactment connected earlier facing the reigning champions connected their ain location floor.