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Knicks Extend Winning Streak with a Dominant Win Over Wizards
WASHINGTON (AP) — Karl-Anthony Towns posted a double-double with 19 points and 14 rebounds as the New York Knicks cruised to a 132-101 victory over the Washington Wizards on Tuesday, marking their seventh consecutive win. Mikal Bridges led the scoring with 23 points, while Jalen Brunson contributed 21. However, the Knicks suffered a setback when Josh Hart exited in the third quarter due to a sprained left ankle; Hart had previously struggled with his right ankle this season and did not return to the game.
For the Wizards, Will Riley scored 17 and Bab Carrington added 14 points. Washington has won three out of their last five games but suffered two heavy defeats—both by 31 points—against the Lakers and Knicks in recent matches. New York has now beaten Washington 11 straight times.
After a rough patch with a 2-9 record from December 31 to January 19, the Knicks have rebounded impressively, winning recent games by significant margins, including a 41-point lead on Tuesday. The team rested several starters ahead of Wednesday’s game against Denver, with Brunson being the only player from either team to log over 30 minutes.
The Knicks dominated early, leading by 18 points in the first quarter and holding a 72-45 advantage at halftime.
Jazz Overcome Adversity to Beat Pacers
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Isaiah Collier dished out a career-high 22 assists—an NBA season high and the best for a Utah player since John Stockton in 1992—as the Jazz topped the Indiana Pacers despite playing with just seven healthy players. Lauri Markkanen led Utah with 27 points. The Jazz were short-handed following a recent trade that sent several players to Memphis in exchange for Jaren Jackson Jr. and others.
Historic numbers came from Collier, who played the entire game scoring 17 points. Utah’s entire roster contributed significantly, with all seven players scoring at least 14 points. Bryce Sensabaugh added 20 points, Bailey scored 19, and Kyle Filipowski recorded a double-double with 16 points and 16 rebounds.
Quenton Johnson and Jayres Walker each scored 24 points for Indiana, which was without four starters resting or injured, including star Pascal Siakam. Rookie Cam Jones, who had been sidelined recently, made his first career start and scored 12 points.
Lakers Defeat Nets with Reaves Returning
NEW YORK (AP) — LeBron James scored 25 points and Luka Doncic tallied 24 as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Brooklyn Nets 125-109. Austin Reaves made his season return after missing 19 games due to a strained left calf, scoring 15 points in 21 minutes. Reaves entered late in the first quarter when the Lakers already had a lead and helped maintain momentum.
Jake LaRabia added 18 points, and the Lakers finished their road trip with a strong 5-3 record. The team prepares to host Philadelphia on Thursday, shortly after the NBA trade deadline. James noted it’s challenging to fully evaluate the team’s potential without Reaves, who averaged 26.6 points before his injury.
Pistons Edge Nuggets in Tight Contest
DETROIT (AP) — All-Star Cade Cunningham led Detroit with 29 points and 10 assists in a 124-121 win over the Denver Nuggets. Jalen Duren contributed 19 points and 13 rebounds, while Duncan Robinson scored 20. The Pistons have won five of their last six games, recently setting a franchise record by defeating the Brooklyn Nets 130-77.
Denver was paced by Jamal Murray’s 32 points and eight assists, and Nikola Jokic had 24 points and 15 rebounds. Although the Nuggets never took the lead, Jokic narrowed the deficit in the final minutes. Detroit ultimately sealed the victory from the free-throw line with 33 seconds remaining.
Hawks Snap Losing Streak Against Heat
MIAMI (AP) — Jalen Johnson posted a triple-double with 29 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists, helping the Atlanta Hawks defeat the Miami Heat 127-115 and end a two-game skid. CJ McCollum supported off the bench with 26 points, and Nickel Alexander Walker chipped in 19.
Miami celebrated the 20th anniversary of their 2006 NBA Championship with legends Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O’Neal courtside. Jaime Jaquez Jr. led the Heat with 21 points, while Pere Larsson and Simone Fontequo had 18 points each, and Bam Adebayo recorded a double-double.
Atlanta maintained control throughout, building a lead early and responding firmly to Miami’s attempts to close the gap.
Bucks Break Losing Streak Without Giannis
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Kyle Kuzma tied his season high with 31 points as Milwaukee defeated Chicago 131-115, ending a five-game losing streak. The Bucks played without their two leading scorers due to injury, including two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was seen practicing before the game but remains sidelined with a calf injury.
Chicago recently underwent multiple trades and were missing top scorer Josh Guidi. The Bucks hold a 4-15 record without Giannis but managed this much-needed win.
Celtics Overcome Mavericks Behind Brown’s Effort
DALLAS (AP) — Jaylen Brown scored 33 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as Boston beat Dallas 110-100, breaking a season-long five-game losing streak against the Mavericks. Rookie Cooper Flagg impressed with 36 points but couldn’t lead Dallas to a win.
Boston’s Peyton Pritchard scored 26 points, while Luka Garza was hot from three-point range, making nine straight shots during a key run. Boston also secured Nikola Vucevic in a trade with Chicago earlier in the day.
Thunder Dominate Magic with Triple-Double from Hartenstein
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Isaiah Hartenstein recorded his first career triple-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in just 23 minutes as the Thunder defeated the Orlando Magic 128-92. Isaiah Joe added 22 points, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander contributed 20 points and nine assists. The Thunder became the first team to reach 40 wins this season.
Orlando’s Jalen Suggs scored 20 points, and Paolo Banchero added 17. The Magic continued to cope without their top scorer Franz Wagner, sidelined by a left ankle sprain.
Fan Take:
This roundup highlights the exciting competitiveness and resilience across the NBA, showcasing both breakout performances and strategic trades that could reshape team dynamics this season. For basketball fans, it’s a thrilling glimpse at how evolving rosters and rising stars could impact the playoff landscape and the future trajectory of the sport.
