The New York Knicks extended their winning streak to six games Sunday night, defeating the Washington Wizards 145-113 at Madison Square Garden behind a dominant second half and balanced scoring.
After the game, head coach Mike Brown highlighted his team’s offensive execution and second-chance production as key factors in the victory.
“Thought they could win by our guys,” Brown said. “I thought that it’s a lot of good things on both ends of the floor tonight about our ability to take good shots.”
The Knicks shot 58.5% from the field and 53% from three-point range, making 17 of their 32 attempts from deep.
“We didn’t get up enough,” Brown said about the three-point volume. “We took 32 and we like to get closer to the 43’s up. But going 17 for 32 was good.”
New York also capitalized on offensive rebounds, turning extra possessions into quick scoring bursts.
“I liked our ability to convert our offensive rebounds,” Brown said. “In the second-chance points, we had only 13 offensive rebounds, but that resulted in 26 second chance points which was huge.”
Karl-Anthony Towns led the Knicks with 26 points and 16 rebounds, earning praise from his coach for his defensive presence and physicality.
“Our defensive player of the game was KAT,” Brown said. “He had 12 rebounds, a couple of deflections and a steal and he was really good in the 50/50 ball area.”
Brown also pointed to improvement in Towns’ positioning during defensive actions.
“One of the things that we’ve been talking to him about is continuing to put your chest in front of the ball in pick-and-roll and DHO situations,” Brown said. “And he did a fantastic job with that tonight.”
Jalen Brunson added 23 points, Josh Hart scored 16 while making all three of his three-point attempts, and Mitchell Robinson produced 10 points and 10 rebounds in 17 minutes off the bench.
Tyler Kolek provided a late highlight by scoring 11 points in about five and a half minutes, finishing 4-for-4 from the field and 3-for-3 from beyond the arc after earlier scoring 42 points for the Knicks’ G League affiliate.
“To play in a G League game in the afternoon and come play in an NBA game, it’s got to be a weird feeling,” Brown said. “But these guys are pro athletes and they do a great job of taking care of their bodies.”
Brown said the moment energized the crowd inside Madison Square Garden.
“It was fun to see Tyler hit some shots and hear the crowd cheering his name,” Brown said. “All that stuff’s a lot of fun.”
The coach also emphasized areas the team continues to monitor during games.
“I’m big on the next-play speed,” Brown said. “If we don’t get back or make an effort because we’re talking to the ref, that’s a big one for me.”
Brown added that defensive pressure must remain consistent.
“If they don’t feel us defensively and we give up two or three threes in a row because they’re not feeling us, that’s not good,” he said.
Despite the streak, Brown said he remains focused on improvement as the postseason approaches.
“I’m just crazy, like I didn’t even know it was six wins in a row,” Brown said. “You’re always trying to think about how we can get better on both ends of the floor.”
New York improved to 47-25, maintaining the third seed in the Eastern Conference.
“You wish you were clicking on all cylinders,” Brown said. “But I think we’re in a decent spot with the season about to end and going into the playoffs.”
Brown also addressed playoff positioning and the value of home court at Madison Square Garden.
“It’s important to try to get the number one seed,” Brown said. “But I’m a firm believer your seeding doesn’t necessarily dictate whether you’re going to win it or lose it.”
He added that the environment in New York remains a major advantage.
“Our fans are awesome,” Brown said. “Playing in this environment during that time, you couldn’t ask for anything better.”
