Knicks stave off late rally to defeat Wizards at MSG

The Knicks made themselves at home at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night, and not a moment too soon.

They defeated the Wizards, 122-103, holding on after coughing up most of a huge third-quarter lead, to end a mini-losing streak against two other NBA also-rans in the Spurs and Hornets.

It was the start of a welcome stretch of home games for the Knicks (44-26), who had played seven of their previous eight games away from the Garden.

They entered Saturday 3-6 overall in their past nine games and 3-4 since Jalen Brunson went down with a sprained right ankle against the Lakers on March 6.

The game against the Wizards (15-55) was the first of three in a row and five of six at home for the Knicks (44-26).

They host the Mavericks on Tuesday and the Lakers on Wednesday.

It was not as easy as it should have been for the Knicks, who led by as many as 33 points in the third quarter and by 16 entering the fourth, then saw Washington draw to within four, 92-88, with 9:14 remaining on a three-pointer by Marcus Smart.

At that point, the Wizards were on a 42-13 run, stunning the Garden crowd — and the Knicks themselves.

But Cam Payne’s three-pointer started a 9-0 run as the Knicks regained control. Eventually the score was 107-90, a 15-2 response from the Knicks.

Karl-Anthony Towns scored a team-high 31 points with 11 rebounds for the Knicks and Mikal Bridges added 27 points, 20 of them in the second quarter. OG Anunoby scored 23 points.

The success of the Knicks’ season will not be fully determined until the playoffs. But everyone recognizes that this would be a good time to start playing well.

New York is a good place to do so. “It’s good to be back [home],” coach Tom Thibodeau said before the game

Deuce McBride was a game-time decision because of a groin injury. That decision turned out to be a “no.” So Payne started in McBride’s place.

A three-pointer by Payne gave the Knicks a 24-12 lead in the first quarter, and the advantage further ballooned to 29-15 on a three-pointer by Landry Shamet.

The Knicks led 31-21 after the first behind 10 points from Payne.

Back-to-back three-pointers by Anunoby restored the Knicks’ 14-point lead at 39-25.

Back-to-back-to-back threes by Bridges gave the Knicks a 48-26 lead 6:49 before the half. The Knicks were on a 15-1 run at that point.

When Precious Achiuwa dunked with 3:40 left in the second quarter, the Knicks had a 55-30 lead.

Bridges made four three-pointers (on four attempts) in the second quarter alone and finished the first half with 24 points.

Tyler Kolek had seven assists in the second quarter alone. It was 66-41 at halftime. The Wizards shot 2-for-16 on three-pointers in the half.

The Knicks’ lead peaked at 33 points, 79-46. Then Washington responded with a 16-3 surge that got it back within 82-62.

When Smart scored with 54 seconds left in the third, it suddenly was 89-73, and things were getting a tad too interesting for the Knicks. It was 92-76 after three.

The Wizards came into the game having played seven consecutive games on the road, then a home game against Orlando on Friday night.

Such is life in the NBA. But the Knicks’ losses to the Spurs and Hornets were alarming.

“It’s part of the league,” Thibodeau said before the game. “It’s, just get ready for the next game. Understand what went into it, what you have to prepare for each game.”

The Knicks issued a progress report on Brunson on Saturday, saying he is “doing controlled court work and his status will be updated in approximately one week.”

Said Thibodeau, “When he went out, we talked about it. You’re not replacing Jalen individually. It’s impossible. So we have to do it collectively. We have to deal with our defense and our rebounding and playing together.

“When we do that, we’re capable of winning.”

Notes & quotes: Thibodeau said he followed St. John’s season “from afar” and watched the Red Storm play when he could. St. John’s season ended on Saturday with a second-round NCAA Tournament loss to Arkansas. “They had a heck of a season,” Thibodeau said. “Rick [Pitino] has done an incredible job there.” . . . It was HBCU night at the Garden, which honored the late Knicks star Willis Reed, who attended Grambling State.