Slow starts, porous interior defense, and inconsistent bench scoring remain concerns for the Knicks, even amid a stretch of dominance. These issues were evident again during their 126-106 victory over the Washington Wizards on Monday, a win that extended New York’s streak to eight games and marked their 18th win in their last 22 outings.
While the Knicks have capitalized on a schedule filled with inferior opponents, the quality of their play hasn’t always matched their record. Their last two wins have come against the Wizards, owners of the worst record in the Eastern Conference, a team whose offense lacks firepower. In Washington, “D.C.” might as well stand for “Don’t Contest,” but the same critique could apply to the Knicks’ defense in stretches during this run.
Take Saturday, when New York allowed Washington to score 132 points in a win. On Monday, the Knicks once again fell into old habits, losing the first quarter 30-27 and clinging to a two-point lead at halftime before finding separation in the third quarter.
Good teams are expected to find a way to win, and the Knicks have consistently done so during this stretch. But for a team heralded as a legitimate contender to the Celtics’ Eastern Conference crown, these patterns—particularly against subpar competition—raise questions.
New York now sits at 23-10, with a favorable chance to extend their winning streak to nine games when they host the struggling Utah Jazz on New Year’s Day. Beyond that, however, looms a true test: a Jan. 3 showdown with the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Knicks’ tendency to play down to their competition has become a troubling theme. Whether it’s holiday fatigue or simply a lack of urgency, the trend predates Christmas:
- On Dec. 15, the Knicks were tied with the Magic in the first quarter, despite Orlando missing both Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner.
- Against the Timberwolves on Dec. 18, the Knicks trailed by one after the first quarter before a dominant second quarter turned the tide.
- In a Dec. 21 matchup with the league-worst Pelicans, the Knicks were tied at 28 after the first period but pulled away for an 11-point win.
- The Knicks won the first quarter against the lottery-bound Toronto Raptors by two
- Even on Christmas Day, they led the Spurs by just one point after the first quarter and needed late-game heroics to secure victory.
- On Dec. 27, the Knicks trailed Orlando by three entering the second quarter, despite the Magic missing Moritz Wagner along with Banchero and Franz Wagner.
- And against the Wizards, they found themselves down one at the end of both first quarters over their back-to-back meetings.
The Knicks have emerged victorious each time, but these slow starts threaten to build bad habits as the season progresses.
“Sometimes it takes a bit for us to wake up,” admitted Josh Hart after the game. “But we always do.”
That much is true—Monday’s win was yet another example.
Karl-Anthony Towns delivered a game-high 32 points and 13 rebounds, anchoring the offense. Jalen Brunson added 18 points and five assists, while Hart posted a triple-double filled with season highs: 23 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists.
The Knicks struggled to contain Wizards veteran Jonas Valančiūnas, who poured in 22 points on 10-of-13 shooting off the bench and drew Towns into foul trouble. But Washington’s lack of shooting proved fatal as they connected on just 12-of-43 attempts from beyond the arc. New York outscored the Wizards by 23 points over the final three quarters, putting the game out of reach.
The Knicks have proven their ability to win, even while ironing out flaws. Their upcoming schedule offers an opportunity to refine their approach with winnable games against Utah and Washington again before the stakes rise against Oklahoma City.
If the Knicks want to solidify their place among the league’s elite, they’ll need to address their defensive lapses and sluggish starts. The talent is there. Now it’s about consistency—and ensuring their bad habits don’t come back to haunt them later in the season.