WASHINGTON (AP) 鈥� Jalen Brunson scored 34 points, including a couple crucial free throws with 13.9 seconds left, and the New York Knicks held off a furious Washington rally in a 112-108 victory over the Wizards on Friday night.
Julius Randle had 23 points and 16 rebounds for the Knicks, who won for the sixth time in seven games. He also provided the game's biggest highlight with his in the third quarter over Washington's Daniel Gafford.
The Knicks went on a 14-0 run early in the fourth, and they still led 105-94 with 2 minutes remaining before Washington nearly took the game back. A layup by Kyle Kuzma cut the lead to three with 27 seconds remaining, and then Randle made just one of two free throws.
Kuzma was fouled shooting a 3-pointer with 16 seconds left, but he made only two of three attempts from the line. Then Brunson made both of his free throws to make it 110-106.
Kuzma and Rui Hachimura missed at the other end, and two more free throws by Brunson made it a six-point game with 3.5 seconds to play. Kuzma then made a shot at the buzzer to finish with 40 points on the night.
鈥淛alen Brunson. He just took over the game,鈥� Kuzma said. 鈥淗e's an All-Star this year. He's been playing phenomenal basketball. ... You can just tell from the team last year to this year, they have more poise and patience, and they look for him, and he delivered tonight.鈥�
Kristaps Porzingis contributed 21 points for Washington, which lost for the fourth time in five games.
The Wizards trailed 80-79 early in the fourth before they went about 3 1/2 minutes without scoring. A three-point play by RJ Barrett put New York up by eight, and Isaiah Hartenstein followed with a dunk for the first double-digit lead by either team.
A jumper by Brunson and a three-point play by Immanuel Quickley made it 94-79.
The Wizards are still without Bradley Beal because of a hamstring injury.
In the third quarter, Randle dunked over Gafford, who ended up on the floor and was also whistled for a foul on the play. Randle's free throw put New York up 69-64, although the Wizards scored six straight after that.
The Knicks held the Wizards to 39% shooting from the field.
鈥淚t's very difficult to guard guys individually in this league. So you need everyone tied together,鈥� New York coach Tom Thibodeau said. 鈥淭here's five guys guarding the ball.鈥�
AROUND THE RIM
In addition to Randle's dunk, the Knicks had a handful of other plays in which they scored while being fouled. They ended up with a 50-28 edge in the paint.
鈥淓verybody was being aggressive. That's what we need from our team," Quickley said. 鈥淲hen we attack the rim our 3s open up.鈥�
TIP-INS
Knicks: Quickley scored 18 points and Barrett scored 17. ... Brunson had eight rebounds and eight assists.
Wizards: Beal missed a fourth consecutive game. ... Monte Morris (right hamstring) did not play either. ... Kuzma finished one point shy of his career high.
UP NEXT
Knicks: At Detroit on Sunday.
Wizards: Host Golden State on Monday.
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Follow Noah Trister at https://twitter.com/noahtrister
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Noah Trister, The Associated Press
