Randle Romps as Knicks Wax Wiz

Randle is averaging career-highs in points (25.1), rebounds (10.6), made 3PTs (2.8) and made FTs (5.3) while also averaging fewer than three turnovers per game for the first time since 2018-19.

Our old buddy Kristaps Porzingis was feeling in the first quarter last night in D.C., knocking down all five of his three-point attempts en route to 19 points in the opening stanza. Then Kyle Kuzma got going in the second, as Washington's lead ballooned to 19 at one point. 

With 2:43 remaining in the first half, Kuz hit a driving floater to put Washington up 62-48. Immediately after the shot dropped, Mr. Kuzma smirked at Randle and gave him the ubiquitous "too small" gesture. 

So, how did Randle respond? 

Well, you know that "don't tug on Superman's cape" meme? Sorta like that.

Specifically, Randle responded with a driving dunk off a pass from Quentin Grimes. And then a slashing slam off a dish from Jalen Brunson. On Washington's next possession, Randle stole the ball from Kuzma and hit a reverse layup on the other end. On the Knicks' next trip down the floor, Randle splashed a three-pointer. On NY's final possession of the half, he banked in a hook.

Over the final two minutes and 30 seconds of the second quarter, Randle outscored the Wizards 11-1 by himself. Washington's lead had shrunk to four points, and NY was right back in it. 

On the first possession out of the break, Randle buried a three-pointer to pull New York within one.

The two teams would go back and forth over the final 24 minutes, but Knicks fans got the sense Randle would not let his team lose this game. 

By the time the final buzzer had sounded, Randle had poured in 46 points, matching his career-high. He was 16-of-29 from the floor, 7-of-14 from downtown and 7-of-7 from the free-throw stripe. 

And the Knicks walked away with a 115-109 victory. 

Randle has had some extraordinary offensive performances this season, in what has been a career year, but Friday night's domination of Washington may have been his very best. He is just the third player in Knicks franchise history to score more than 45 points while slashing 50/50/100%.

On the season, he is now averaging career-highs in points (25.1), rebounds (10.6), made three-pointers (2.8) and made free throws (5.3) while also averaging fewer than three turnovers per game for the first time since 2018-19 when he was with New Orleans. 

Randle is one of only two players in the NBA, averaging at least 25/10/4 this season. The other two are Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid.