Washington Wizards defeated the New York Knicks 101-100 at the O2 Arena on Thursday night.
The game came down to a remarkable reviewed goaltend from Allonzo Trier on a Thomas Bryant lay-up that gave the Wizards a one-point lead. The officials took their time getting the call right at the scorers’ table and gave David Fizdale’s team 0.4 seconds to snatch the game back.
Kevin Knox inbounded the ball to Emmanuel Mudiay, but the youngster could only heave the ball wide of the basket.
Washington turned the game on its head in the fourth quarter. The Knicks had been in control having outscored the Wizards by 10 in the first quarter and led by 12 points with just 12 minutes to go. New York’s inexperience showed, though, and Washington went on a 20-4 run.
Bradley Beal started poorly, like he did on Sunday, but shone late on, including two game-changing threes in the fourth. Beal has put the team on his back since John Wall has been out.
Mudiay was the star for the Knicks, notching 25 points and seven rebounds. Knox, who had the best game of his young NBA career at the weekend, managed just five points and went 0 for 6 from three-point range.
Washington survived a real scare in front of a relatively subdued crowd at the O2 Arena. Defeat to the Knicks in what was a ‘home’ game for the Wizards would have been a disaster. The gap between the two rosters was evident in the fourth quarter, which only emphasises how poor the first 36 minutes were.
Not many opponents will let Washington back into the game after such a disappointing start. They were lucky they were facing the Knicks. The win makes it easier to forget the shaky play, particularly as it puts them within two games of the Hornets, who occupy the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Scott Brooks will be delighted that his team managed to complete a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback, but the performance will be a concern for a team that cannot afford many slip ups in the remainder of the season.
It’s all about development for Fizdale and the Knicks. Nights like tonight are good experience for their young roster, though the defeat will have really hurt after three quarters of solid basketball.