WASHINGTON — The Knicks are going to have a hard time saying goodbye in December.
They entered the month with the easiest schedule in the league, with opponents' winning percentage tallied at just 38.6 percent, according to NBA.com.
Their back-to-back ended after just one game against the Wizards, the worst team in the conference, on Saturday.
And the Knicks took the job. If they defeat the Wizards again in Monday's rematch, their record in December will be 13-2.
That would nearly match last season's 14-2 record in January, which was celebrated as the franchise's winningest month since 1994.
The schedule gets a little tougher in January, with three consecutive sets against OKC (twice), Milwaukee, Minnesota, Memphis, and Denver.
But it's also a month with a lot of home games, with easier matches against Utah, Chicago and Brooklyn.
The toughest months for the Knicks are February and March, with 14 games (including 11 on the road) followed by games at Cleveland, Boston, Memphis, Miami, Lakers, Warriors and Spurs.
Jalen Brunson didn't let pain slow him down in his last fight, but it looks like his lower leg injury is still healing.
The point guard is listed as questionable again for Monday's game against the Wizards due to right calf tightness.
He carried the same designation into Saturday's contest, warming up as usual with his father and assistant coach Rick Brunson, who dropped 55 points against the Wizards.
“I was just reading the game,” Brunson said. “Throughout the game, you're just attacking the seams and trying to figure out where you can be effective. It's easy when you have four other guys on the court and spacing the floor. ”
The cause of Brunson's calf strain is unknown.
He hasn't missed a game this season and ranks sixth in the NBA in total minutes played.
Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart and OG Anunoby are among the top five in the league in total minutes played.
Meanwhile, the Wizards are likely to bring back at least one key player.
Kyle Kuzma, who has not played since November due to a sprained rib cartilage, was not listed on the injury report.
Kuzma, 29, was a trade candidate before the deadline, but moving Kuzma would be difficult with three years and more than $60 million left on his contract.
Jordan Poole also missed Saturday's game, but is listed as questionable for Monday due to a hip contusion.
Even without Kuzma or Poole, the Wizards scored 132 points against the Knicks, with Brooklyn native Justin Champagnie scoring a career-high 31 points.
