Knicks at Wizards: How & Who to Watch After the All-Star Break

Despite the metropolitan improvement, the Washington Wizards have given the New York Knicks fits this season.

All-Star break or untimely interruption? 

The first chance to answer that question comes on Friday night for the New York Knicks, who take on the Washington Wizards to tip off the 22-game dash to the postseason. Whereas the Knicks and Wizards each stood as the first two teams out of the Eastern Conference postseason picture last season, the two are fighting for their own brand of postseason means, partly brought about by some strong performances before the All-Star break in Salt Lake City.

New York, currently the sixth and final team amongst the automatic Eastern Conference playoff entrants, won five of its final six before the showcase in Utah, the last being a 122-101 triumph over Atlanta last Wednesday night. Washington, stationed in the fourth and final playoff spot in the East's Play-In Tournament, is 3.5 games behind the Knicks and won eight of its last dozen entering the break. 

The Wizards have played the Knicks very well in the first half of a four-game series, winning the previous matchup in Washington by a 112-108 final back on Jan. 13. New York got revenge five days later in Manhattan, taking a 116-105 decision. One more meeting at Madison Square Garden awaits on April 2. 

What: New York Knicks (33-27) @ Washington Wizards (28-30)

Where: Capital One Arena, Washington D.C.

When/Watch: Friday, 7 p.m. ET, MSG/MSG Go

Who's Favored: WAS -1.5

Isaiah Hartenstein with the block 👀 pic.twitter.com/53vsNX7Jlr

— Big Knick Energy (@BigKnickEnergy_) February 16, 2023

Keep An Eye On: Isaiah Hartenstein

With Mitchell Robinson nearing a return, much will be made about how Tom Thibodeau adjusts his nine-man rotation, especially with reluctance to use three big men at the same time. 

Slam Dunk Contest participant Jericho Sims earned the starting nods with Robinson out, but it was Hartenstein that made the more noticeable impact on the statsheet, pulling in 8.2 boards a game while the primary center recovered from finger surgery. Hartenstein has also pulled in at least 10 rebounds in six of the past nine games, tying his season-best of 14 twice.

“For the team, I think it was important,” Hartenstein said of the 8-6 stretch in the 14 games sans Robinson, per Steve Popper of Newsday. “I think we got the wins that we needed to, especially at the end of the stretch. I think we struggled at the beginning. For me, I gained my confidence back, started to play better, started to feel healthier.”

KRISTAPS PORZINGIS WITH THE PUTBACK 😤 pic.twitter.com/BqB7yAegRo

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 13, 2022

Wizard to Watch: Kristaps Porziņģis

No one remotely associated with Knicks basketball over the past decade needs to be reminded of what Porziņģis is capable of. His antics during Washington's recent success, however, have started the change the narrative of the Wizards' season. 

Like Jalen Brunson, Porziņģis went on a bit of a tear when he was denied All-Star entry. Washington showed him love on Valentine's Day after a 25-point win over Portland was headlined by Porziņģis' 28-point, 12-rebond double-double on 10-of-15 shooting, which came less than 24 hours after he put in 12-of-16 in a loss to Golden State. Washington has also been pleased with the way Porziņģis has taken fellow interior threat Deni Avdija under his wing. 

"I think you show growth in how you teach, how you lead, not only by example but with your voice,” Wizards coach Wes Unseld Jr. said, per Ava Wallace of the Washington Post. “I think when you have a guy who looks up to you, maybe it kind of forces you to continue to do the right things. It’s an interesting dynamic because a lot of time guys just gravitate to certain people. We’ve seen that relationship flourish.”

Prediction

Enough time has passed for the Knicks not to worry about how the NBA All-Star Game festivities will affect them against a team that hardly had any representation in the event. But Washington has played the Knicks so well this season, especially in the original edition at home. With Robinson potentially returning and the Knicks getting their land legs back, expect a slight grace period to get the rust off.

Wizards 114, Knicks 111

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Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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