Jordan Poole led with 25 points.Jordan Poo
The Washington Wizards fell to the New York Knicks 122–103 on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden, dropping their fourth straight and falling to 15–55 on the season. While the final score was a blowout, the second half showed heart—even if the first half was a nightmare.
Down 66–41 at halftime and trailing by as many as 33 in the third quarter, the game looked over. But Marcus Smart led a furious comeback off the bench, pouring in 17 points and helping cut the deficit to just four early in the fourth. Rookie Kyshawn George also flashed his potential with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Jordan Poole finished with a team-high 25.
Unfortunately, the wheels came off late. The Knicks responded with a 15–2 run and never looked back. Karl-Anthony Towns (31 points, 11 rebounds), Mikal Bridges (27 points), and OG Anunoby (23 points) torched Washington all night, and rookie Tyler Kolek’s eight assists (zero turnovers!) were a quiet dagger.
Turnovers (20 total) and poor shooting haunted the Wizards again, and the Knicks simply hit shots when it mattered. Still, the fight in the third and early fourth gives us something to build on. This team may be young and battered, but they’re not quitting.
Jordan Poole led the Wizards with 25 points.
Moral victories don’t count in the standings, but seeing Smart rally the bench and the kids respond was something. Here’s hoping that the Wizards carry that fire into the next one.