Knicks Wax the Wizards - Remain Perfect in 2024

It's been a month since Mitch Rob went down, and shockingly, Isaiah Hartenstein has been one of the NBA's best centers in the four weeks since New York lost the seemingly irreplaceable Robinson...

Final Score: Knicks 121 - Wizards 105
Record: 21-15

How's your 2024 been thus far? Have you been sticking to your resolutions? Going to the gym, eating healthy and all that jazz? 

Well, the basketball team from New York has had a better start to the New Year than anyone could have hoped. 

Not only have the Knicks won all four games they've played since the calendar flipped to 2024, but they've been dominant on both ends of the floor. They've crushed contenders and cellar-dwellers alike. The vibes around the team are, yes, immaculate.

But don't take my word for it. The numbers speak for themselves.

Here are the league leaders in plus-minus in 2024: 
1. Isaiah Hartenstein: +94
2. OG Anunoby: +85
3. Jalen Brunson: +81
4. Josh Hart: +60
5. Jayson Tatum: +53
6. Walker Kessler: +53
7. Julius Randle: +52

Yes, that's five Knicks in the top seven. Seems pretty good.

As for overall team success, here's where New York stands among the rest of the NBA in the New Year. They currently rank:
First in wins (4)
First in Defensive Rating (103.1)
Second in Net Rating (+17.7)
Third in Rebound Rate (56.0%)
Seventh in Offensive Rating (120.8)

Look, is it a small sample size? Yes, of course. But it's also the only evidence we have of this group since the squad re-shaped their roster by acquiring OG Anunoby. 

It's important not to read too much into the early returns, but ignoring the fact that the early returns have been eye-opening would also be foolish. 

After demolishing the Sixers in Philly on Friday, the Knicks hopped on a bus down to DC and wiped the floor with the Wizards on Saturday night. 

Below, we'll talk about how Randle bounced back with a phenomenal all-around game and Brunson's brilliance, but, once again, the game ball from the win over Washington goes to Isaiah Hartenstein.

iHart was at it again on Saturday, racking eight points (4-of-8 FGs), a game-high 19 rebounds, two assists, a game-high four steals, and two blocked shots in 39 minutes. The man had nearly as many swipes (5) and swats (3) as the entire Wizards team combined. And, yes, he was also a game-high +26.

During this four-game winning streak, Hartenstein is averaging 10.5 points (on 69% shooting), 13.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.3 steals and 3.0 blocks. 

According to Basketball Reference data (which dates back to 1996), he's the first and only Knick to average at least 10 points, 13 boards, two steals and three blocks a night over a four-game stretch.