Julius Randle was fined $ 15,000 by the NBA and then tried to score 15,000 points on the humble Wizards.
Randle took out any lasting refereeing frustrations in Washington on Tuesday in the yard when he threw in 37 points, scoring 7 of 10 3-points as the Knicks blew out the Wizards, 131-113. Randle’s seven 3s reached a career high.
The All Star power forward, who was punished for his inflammatory remarks about the referee in the Knicks’ defeat to Philly on Sunday, is the main reason why the Knicks are 22-22, having already surpassed last season’s victory.
“The statement was that victory was the most important thing,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said of Randle. “He did it for us a number of times. To bounce back after a tough loss and the way we lost the game is what leaders do. ”
Randle, who has yet to miss a game this season, shot 13 of 24 from the field when the Knicks won a wire-to-wire blowout.
They face the Wizards at the Garden again on Thursday. With another win, the Knicks would have trained Las Vegas, with an over / under win of 22 ½.
Randle had 35 points halfway through the third quarter, hitting three points over all of Washington’s youngsters, including the Israeli lottery, Deni Avidja and Rui Hachimuru.
Thibodeau kept Randle for much of the fourth quarter instead of rolling in a slump with rookie Obi Toppin, the Knicks’ lottery. Toppin played just eight minutes and was scoreless for the fourth consecutive game as Randle offered him some comforting words on the bench late in the game.
The Knicks built up a 69-49 lead at halftime, with Randle scoring 21 points, making 8 of 14 shots, and hitting 3 of 4 from the 3-point line.
Center Mitchell Robinson scored 16 points in his second game after a hand operation with 12 rebounds and three blocks. RJ Barrett scored 21 points and Alec Burks 20.
Starting point guard Elfrid Payton returned with a hamstring strain from an absence of four games. He lifted a high walkway for Robinson, who jumped to the garden ceiling for the monster lamb.
Before the game, Robinson admitted it was going to take a little more time.
“I just need to get back in shape, like a game form,” he said. ‘I’ve been running a lot. Just need to get back to myself as of the game form. But it felt great to get out there with the guys again. ‘