Bradley Beal scores 40, leads Wizards past Knicks 122-115

 Bradley Beal got back to his high-scoring ways with 40 points, lifting Washington Wizards to a 122-115 victory over New York Knicks on Tuesday night.

Beal overcame a slow start and surpassed 25-point plateau for 22nd time in 23 games. His string of 21 such games was snapped Sunday when he scored 23 in a loss to Miami.

Wizards' win meant Heat will have to wait at least one more day to clinch an Eastern Conference playoff spot. Miami can do so with a home win Wednesday against Charlotte.

Beal scored 27 in second half after connecting on five of his first 15 shots against Knicks.

Shabazz Napier added 21 points for Wizards.

Bobby Portis led Knicks with 20 points against his former team, while Julius Randle added 16 before fouling out.

Both teams squandered big leads. Wizards lost a 14-point lead in first quarter, and Knicks blew an 18-point advant in third.

teams are out of playoff hunt in East, and it sounded as if re were more Knicks fans than Wizards supporters in stands.

When it was anunced late in first quarter that a 3-pointer by Frank Ntilikina was overturned by replay review, re were more boos than cheers in more-than-half-empty arena. Chants of “Let's go, Knicks!” and “MVP” could be heard as rookie RJ Barrett shot free throws.

TIP-INS

Knicks: G Dennis Smith Jr. was cleared from concussion protocol but did t play.

Wizards: G Jerome Robinson was back in starting lineup after missing Sunday's game against Miami with an Achilles injury. ... G Ish Smith missed his fourth consecutive game with left hamstring tightness. ... F Isaac Bonga did t play due to a groin contusion.

CELEBRATION POSTPONED

Knicks have postponed ir planned anniversary celebration of franchise's 1970 NBA championship because of concerns about vel coronavirus. New York is working with players from that title team to reschedule events originally set for Madison Square Garden on March 21, when Knicks host Golden State Warriors.

RUI BOUNCES BACK

Wizards coach Scott Brooks said before game team planned to get struggling rookie Rui Hachimura involved early, and that's exactly what happened.

Hachimura took a feed from Thomas Bryant on game's opening possession for an uncontested dunk. He had been 0 for 14 from field in Wizards' two prior games.

After being held scoreless in Sunday's loss to Miami, Hachimura connected on three of his first four from field and scored 10 points of his 12 points in first half.

CLOSED LOCKER ROOMS

Both locker rooms were closed to media in keeping with league's new policy to help contain spread of coronavirus.

Players and coaches spoke to reporters in designated interview areas.