Knicks handle biz vs. the Wiz, win 6th straight (Highlights)

Karl-Anthony Towns dominated to the tune of 26 points and 16 rebounds, joining the double-double brotherhood by fellow paint presence Mitchell Robinson (10 points and boards each).

Jalen Brunson added 23 while Josh Hart stretched his streak of consecutive successful three-point tries to nine over the last three games. Mikal Bridges was 6-of-11 from the field en route to 14 points while dishing out six assists, one behind Jose Alvarado for the team lead.

Amidst a stretch of subpar competition on the Knicks’ slate, Washington’s visit had dire makings of a trap game: losers of 15 straight, the Wizards came in with just nine dressed men, the absent list including Anthony Davis, Kyshawn George, Alex Sarr, and recurring Knicks foe Trae Young.

Staten Island native Justin Champagnie was a late departure after he was suspended for his involvement in extracurricular activities during Washington’s Saturday loss to Oklahoma City.

Propelled by early efforts from reserves Anthony Gill and Jaden Hardy, the Wizards ate away at an early 11-point lead for the Knicks, even forcing a 38-all tie in the second quarter on a Sharife Cooper three.

From there, however, the Knicks got down to business and went on a 16-2 run that gave them lasting momentum. A Bridges fadeaway and a successful and-one for Towns got the rally started and set the tone for a 16-point lead for the hosts by halftime.

Washington never got closer than 12 thereafter, with that latter rally in the third quarter snuffed out by a Brunson pull-up and Towns triple shortly after Mike Brown called a timeout. Brunson’s penetration, ending with a floater, created a nearly-permanent double-figure lead in the penultimate minute of the third.

The Wizards briefly got back under 19 in the early stages of the fourth, but the Knicks’ subs created a 12-0 run sandwiched by threes from Alvarado and Mohamed Diawara.

Once the Knicks emptied their bench, Tyler Kolek was afforded a special showcase: fresh off a 42-point showing for the Knicks’ G League club in Westchester, the sophomore shooter quickly tallied 11 points on a perfect 4-of-4 outing to the delight of the amused MSG crowd.

Jordan Clarkson likewise secured a spot in the highlight reel during garbage time, finding Jeremy Sochan for a dunk on a reverse pass over his head.

Perhaps perfectly fine with keeping their top-eight-protected pick from the Knicks, Washington (16-55) tied a franchise-record with its 16th consecutive loss. Hardy led the visitors with 25 points in this latest defeat.

The New York Knicks welcome another downtrodden opponent into MSG on Tuesday, as the New Orleans Pelicans make their annual visit on Tuesday night (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG).