By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: 02:51 GMT, 23 March 2025 | Updated: 02:56 GMT, 23 March 2025
NEW YORK (AP) - Karl-Anthony Towns had 31 points and 11 rebounds, Mikal Bridges scored 27 points and the New York Knicks beat the Washington Wizards 122-103 on Saturday night.
OG Anunoby had 23 points and Cam Payne chipped in 13 for the Knicks, who snapped a two-game losing streak.
Jordan Poole scored 25 points and Marcus Smart added 17 off the bench for the Wizards, who have lost four straight games.
The Knicks were ahead 82-51 with 6:44 remaining in the third quarter and cruising to an easy victor before Washington, which has the worst record in the NBA, mounted a wild comeback that fell short.
The Wizards outscored New York 25-10 over the final six minutes of the period and trailed 92-76 heading into the fourth quarter.
Washington then rattled off 12 consecutive points, capped by Smart´s 3-pointer that made it 92-88 with 9:14 left in regulation
New York Knicks forward Precious Achiuwa (5) dunks during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Saturday, March 22, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
But the Knicks regained control of the game with a 9-0 run of their own to extend the lead 101-88 with 7:15 left in regulation to put the game out of reach.
Wizards: Washington was just 1 for 10 from 3-point range in the first quarter before finishing 11 for 36 for the game.
Knicks: Payne scored 10 points in the first quarter starting in place of Deuce McBride, who has a bruised left groin. McBride has been starting with Jalen Brunson sidelined by a sprained right ankle.
Payne's only basket after the first quarter was a 3-pointer with 8:55 to play after Smart's 3 that had made it a four-point game. That triggered a 30-15 run to end the game.
Seldom-used rookie Tyler Kolek had a career-high eight assists, including seven in the first half.
New York continues its three-game homestand Tuesday against Dallas. Washington hosts Toronto on Monday.
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This story has been updated to show that Karl-Anthony Towns scored 31 points. A previous version stated that he had 29.
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New York Knicks guard Landry Shamet (44) reacts during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Saturday, March 22, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
New York Knicks guard Tyler Kolek (13) dribbles during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Saturday, March 22, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges reacts during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Saturday, March 22, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns reacts during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Saturday, March 22, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)