Breathing Easy

The Knicks ended their home stand in style.

Good morning! Everyone make sure to get a full night’s rest tonight. West Coast trip starts tomorrow.

One note before the game recap: Ian Begley reported late last night that the NBA was “poking around” the Knicks after their promotion of assistant coach Rick Brunson to Johnnie Bryant’s old position. MSG Sports issued a statement in response claiming harassment. I’ll continue to keep you updated on this story as it develops.

Game 14: Knicks 134, Wizards 106

• After taking a few minutes to get their bearings, the Knicks used a 33-11 first quarter run to take command of the game and never look back

• New York was impressive offensively across the board, but the passing popped yet again with 37 assists on 51 made shots, including 11 dimes from Jalen Brunson

• The only drama was whether or not the lead would stay large enough to keep the starters on the bench for the entire fourth. It didn’t, but nobody was overextended.

• Deuce remained out, with Thibs saying he wants the knee to “calm down,” while Precious Achiuwa may join the team on the west coast trip

• Jericho Sims brought the house down

I’m sure a finer newsletter writer than myself would start this edition with some deeper analysis of last night’s capital punishment, but that won’t be happening today.

Instead, feast your eyes on Jericho Sims, Devourer of Worlds:

Truthfully, this clip is probably all the analysis that last night’s game deserves.

Well, this clip, and Cam Payne’s face in the immediate aftermath:

It was that kind of a night for the Knicks, who haven’t made a ton of statements so far this season, but certainly made one against the Wizards: there might not be another team in the league that can made a bad opponent look as overmatched as the Knicks can.