Knicks vs. Wizards Preview: How, Who to Watch As Knicks Look to Conjure Winning Streak

The New York Knicks will look to start another winning streak when the lowly Washington Wizards visit Manhattan on Thursday night.

The New York Knicks couldn't handle the (Orlando) Magic. Now, they'll face Wizards.

Following Monday's loss to the Magic, New York got back into the win column on Wednesday night against the Houston Rockets. The Knicks waste no time getting back into the swing of things, as the lowly Washington Wizards visit on Thursday in the latter half of a back-to-back.

Wednesday's win closed the first half of the Knicks' 2023-24 season, one that had eight prior back-to-back pairs. The Knicks were 3-5 in the second half of such sets though one of the wins came against the Wizards on Jan. 6, a triumph that came hours after a blowout win in Philadelphia.

Thursday's game will serve as the final of three meetings between the Knicks and Wizards this season. New York has readily handled business against Washington this year, winning the first two get-togethers by a combined 37-point margin. The Knicks will seek their first season sweep of the Wizards since the 2020-21 campaign. 

What: Washington Wizards (7-32) @ New York Knicks (24-17)

Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY

When/Watch: Thursday, 7:30 p.m. ET, 

Who's Favored: NYK -12

Brad Penner, USA TODAY SPORTS

Keep An Eye On: Quentin Grimes

As Grimes' playing time continues to dwindle, it stands to reason that the world may be watching his final hours in Manhattan. Grimes, to his credit, has at least been trying to make the most of his potential last words, scoring 11 points in 16 minutes against the Rockets on Wednesday (albeit on eight shot attempts). The third-year man has played at least 20 minutes on only two occasions in the new year and it's hard to see him getting back to that point with the extended trust in Miles McBride and Jalen Brunson back in the lineup. Those who have come to believe that Grimes is part of the Knicks' future better enjoy him while they can.

Wizard to Watch: Deni Avdija

If the Wizards posed any semblance of a threat, Avdija might enter Thursday's game as public enemy No. 1: Avdija bizarrely claimed that two-time Knicks All-Star Julius Randle wasn't hard to guard, even as he torched Washington for 39 points back in the Knicks' win from two weeks ago. If Randle goes off again, Avdija, envision as one of the major faces of the Wizards' rebuild, will have some explaining to do. To his credit, Avdija has done sold work of his own in the new year, averaging 15.1 points in his first seven games, which includes a 23-tally outing against the Knicks at Capital One Arena.

They Said It

“I think we’re in a good place right now, but we got a lot of room for improvement. There’s a place we want to be, and we don’t want to be peaked out. We want to continue to get better.”-Jalen Brunson on the first half of the season (h/t Pete Botte, New York Post)

Prediction

The most dangerous Thursday threat to the Knicks comes not from the nation's capital but rather up north: New York simply can't get caught looking ahead to what's sure to be an emotional weekend, as RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley will visit MSG for the first time as adversaries on Saturday. Washington has shown little, if any, capability of taking advantage and the Knicks have statements to make after a rollercoaster week. Fatigue might prevent this one from getting out of hand early, but expect the Knicks to handle their business once again.

Knicks 112, Wizards 93