Josh Hart Triple-Double Ends Knicks' Year on High Note

Josh Hart's triple-double was enough for the New York Knicks to stave off the pesky Washington Wizards for the second game in a row.

Dec 30, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) drives to the basket against Washington Wizards center Jonas Valanciunas (17) during the second quarter at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images / Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images

Faced with an opportunity to earn their eighth consecutive win to close out the calendar year, the New York Knicks left the ball dropping to Times Square.

New York held off another challenge from the pesky Washington Wizards, pulling away late to earn a 126-106 victory in their final showing of 2024 on Monday night at Capital One Arena. Having previously squeaked by Washington in overtime on Saturday, the Knicks outscored the Wizards 67-49 in the second half after leading by only two at halftime.

Dec 30, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) handles the ball against Washington Wizards guard Carlton Carrington (8) during the second quarter at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images / Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images

Josh Hart's ninth career triple-double led the way for the Knicks, as he put up 23 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists, all good for season-highs in each category. All but six points came in a second quarter that saw him shoot 6-of-7 from the field, including three consecutive triples. New York (23-10) had shot 1-of-11 from three in the opening period and trailed 30-27 before Hart's showcase.

Karl-Anthony Towns led the Knicks in scoring with 32 points and posted a double-double with 13 boards. Jalen Brunson was mostly held in check after Saturday's 55-point masterpiece but nonetheless mustered 18 points and five assists.

The Knicks' sweep did not come easy, as Washington (5-25) kept things close into the latter stages of the third quarter after the first half saw neither team led by more than seven in the first 24. OG Anunoby's three-pointer just before three minutes went by in the third gave the Knicks what became a permanent lead but the Wizards had an answer for every New York run.

A 13-5 run over the final 2:27, highlight by threes from Hart and Miles McBride, allowed the Knicks a chance to start pulling away. Precious Achiuwa's corner three created a lasting double-figure lead that reached has high as 21 before the Knikcs emptied the bench. One more 17-5 run to the four-minute mark of the fourth quarter was punctuated by a pair of dunks from Towns, breaking the Wizards' will and rendering a mostly pro-Knicks crowd delirious.

Dec 30, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) handles the ball against Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma (33) and guard Malcolm Brogdon (15) during the second quarter at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images / Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images

It was a bittersweet night for Washington, which one against displayed some fight before reality set in: the team welcomed back franchise face Kyle Kuzma to the fold after 12 games off and he scored nine points in 21 minutes. Washington, however, lost rookie standout Carlton "Bub" Carrington to a scary head injury in the latter stages of the third quarter, one that required a wheelchair upon his exit from the floor. Potential trade bait Jonas Valanciunas led Washington with 22 points on the bench, going 10-of-13 from the field.

The Wizards will have one more chance to avoid a season sweep in the new year, as they'll hit Manhattan one more time on March 22. In the meantime, the Knicks will be back in action on New Year's night when the Utah Jazz visit Madison Square Garden (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG).

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