Jan 17, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks forward Julius Randle (30) dunks against the Houston Rockets during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo
On Thursday, the Knicks and Wizards will play in New York, with the goal of completing a three-game sweep of their season series.
The Knicks won the first two meetings, both in Washington, thanks to the efforts of Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle. On Nov. 17, New York defeated the Knicks 120-99 thanks to 32 points from Brunson and 22 from Randle. On Jan. 6, the Knicks defeated the former with 39 points and the latter with 33.
On Wednesday, the stars delivered outstanding performances as well, leading New York to its seventh victory in the previous nine games. With Brunson returning from a left calf bruise, he added 30 points and seven assists, while Randle finished with 31 points and eight rebounds to help the Knicks defeat the visiting Houston Rockets 109-94.
OG Anunoby has been with New York since being acquired from Toronto over the nine-game span. On Wednesday, Anunoby scored 15 points and pulled down four rebounds for the Knicks, who are now playing 12 of their 14 games at home. Before their matchup with Washington, they had split their previous two games.
The Raptors, Anunoby’s previous squad, are scheduled to play on Saturday.
Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau stated, “When you make a trade in-season, and it’s a trade that has impacted both the starters and the bench.” It’s a little choppy because we have to keep trying to highlight how crucial winning is and how much development is necessary as we go. In addition, the fact that Jalen is out due to injury added one more minor complication. This league is full with obstacles; the question is how fast we can adjust. Thus, we must continue on our current path.
In the games against New York, Kyle Kuzma of the Wizards posted team-high totals of 19 and 27 points. After picking up two technical fouls late in the fourth quarter of Washington’s 129-117 loss to the Detroit Pistons on Monday, he was dismissed from the game with 21 points and eight rebounds.
Monday marked the first day that Marvin Bagley III and Isaiah Livers, who were acquired from Detroit in a trade that sent Mike Muscala and Danilo Gallinari to the Pistons, did not play for the Wizards. But on Wednesday, Bagley and Livers took part in practice, and head coach Wes Unseld Jr. tried to make it a comfortable environment for his newest players.
According to The Washington Post, Unseld remarked, “I’m able to kind of yell out when we call something because I’m using (Detroit’s) playbook, things that they run that are similar to us.” ‘Hey, that’s their whatever,’ I think to myself. That aids in enabling that recognition or even recall.”
Bagley’s potential to start for the Wizards is unknown, but Daniel Gafford (concussion protocol) will miss games after hitting his head during the Wizards’ loss to the Pistons.
As a player, Bagley stated, “all you ever want is an opportunity to just go play,” according to the Post. “Having put in a lot of work throughout my life, I’m in a position where I can now, at last, take advantage of opportunities when they arise. That’s how I think. Play as hard as I can, give it my all, and accept the outcome as the best I can manage.
“Dude, I’m thrilled. For me, it’s another fresh start.”
The Wizards are 4-18 on the road this season and have dropped seven of their last eight games overall.
