Knicks Dominate Wizards With Seventh Straight Win In D.C.

The New York Knicks left no doubt about their current form on Tuesday night, steamrolling the Washington Wizards 132-101 at Capital One Arena for their seventh straight victory. From the opening tip, the Knicks seized control and never looked back, putting on a display that had their fans in the nation’s capital chanting and celebrating well before the final buzzer. For a team that struggled through a rough patch earlier in the season, this dominant run is turning heads across the NBA.

How did the Knicks get off to such a roaring start? According to Karl-Anthony Towns, it all began with their mindset. “We came out with that third-quarter intensity in the first quarter and it allowed us to dictate the game,” Towns said after the win. “That’s what’s asked of us and that’s something we wanted to accomplish. So today is a good day where you actually do what you say.”

Towns led by example, finishing with 19 points and 14 rebounds in just 26 minutes of action. His efficiency set the tone, but he wasn’t alone. Jalen Brunson poured in 21 points, OG Anunoby added 19, and Mikal Bridges led all scorers with 23 points on a sizzling 8-of-10 shooting night. The Knicks’ offense hummed, racking up 34 assists—15 more than the Wizards managed—and sinking 17 of their 37 three-point attempts. Coach Mike Brown was quick to highlight the team-first approach that’s fueling this winning streak. “Guys are trying to share the basketball,” Brown said. “And we only had eight turnovers. So you’re trying to not only share the basketball, but share it the right way. And we have a lot of guys who can shoot it, we have a lot of guys who can put it on the floor and make plays. But guys are trying to play for one another with the correct spacing and making the correct decisions. So it’s a lot of fun to see when guys get rolling.”

It certainly looked like fun for the Knicks, who built a 16-point lead after the first quarter, stretched it to 27 at halftime, and were up by a whopping 31 as the fourth quarter began. At one point, the advantage ballooned to 41 points. The game was so lopsided that only Brunson played more than 30 minutes for New York, giving the starters some much-needed rest ahead of a tough stretch of games.

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. The injury bug bit the Knicks once again. Josh Hart, who has already battled right ankle issues this season, twisted his left ankle in the third quarter and didn’t return. Before leaving, Hart contributed 4 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists, showcasing his usual hustle and versatility. Mohamed Diawara also exited after twisting his ankle, needing help from teammates to get to the locker room. Fortunately, both players left the arena without a walking boot or a pronounced limp, offering hope that their absences might be brief. Still, their status will be closely monitored as the Knicks prepare for a demanding slate of games.

New York’s recent surge is even more impressive considering where they were just a couple of weeks ago. Between December 31 and January 19, the Knicks went 2-9, prompting questions about their depth and direction. Since then, they have flipped the script, notching seven straight wins—including victories by 54, 27, 30, and now 31 points. Their season record now stands at 32-18, solidifying their position near the top of the Eastern Conference standings and reigniting hopes for a deep playoff run.

The Wizards, meanwhile, appeared overmatched from the outset. Their starting lineup featured a youth movement with Alex Sarr (20), Keyonte George (22), Bilal Coulibaly (21), and Bub Carrington (20) all getting the nod. Will Riley led the way for Washington with 17 points, while Carrington chipped in 14. The Wizards have been open about their rebuilding approach, especially after trading for Trae Young and then shelving him indefinitely—a move widely seen as a signal that they are prioritizing draft position. With their first-round pick this year top-eight protected (and otherwise owed to the Knicks), finishing among the league’s bottom four is suddenly a strategic goal for Washington. The result? A team that’s not only young but often outgunned, as evidenced by their 13-36 record and the fact that they’ve now lost 11 straight games to the Knicks.

The atmosphere inside Capital One Arena told its own story. Knicks fans packed the stands, showering Brunson with “MVP” chants and booing Trae Young when he appeared on the Jumbotron. It felt more like a Knicks home game than a road contest, a testament to both the team’s surging popularity and the Wizards’ struggles to energize their base during a tough season.

Despite the lopsided score, Wizards coach Mike Brown (not to be confused with his Knicks counterpart) saw some positives in his team’s effort. “Obviously Washington is a young team and the direction they’re going is what most young teams do at this time of the year,” Brown noted. “So we went out there and locked in and did the little things the right way. It was impressive to see.” Still, the gulf in talent and execution was clear for all to see.

Looking ahead, the Knicks face a daunting trio of games: a home showdown against the defending champion Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night, a trip to Detroit to face the Pistons on Friday, and a marquee matchup in Boston against the Celtics on Sunday. Each contest will test the Knicks’ depth and resolve, especially if Hart and Diawara remain sidelined. For the Wizards, the road doesn’t get much easier—they travel to Detroit to meet the Pistons on Thursday night, aiming to regroup and find positives as their young core continues to develop.

For now, though, the spotlight belongs to the Knicks. Their blend of star power, unselfish play, and defensive intensity has them rolling at just the right time. Can they keep this momentum going against tougher competition? That’s the question on everyone’s mind as the NBA calendar flips into a critical stretch. One thing’s certain: if the Knicks keep playing like this, no one will want to see them on the schedule.