What happened: Head coach Mike Brown called a timeout to address defensive lapses by New York. The defending champions opened their second exhibition game flat, allowing Washington to generate multiple scoring opportunities on the break.

Why it matters: Establishing defensive intensity remains a priority for a franchise coming down from a championship high. The sluggish start highlights execution issues as the team works through its exhibition schedule.

What to watch: The coaching staff will look to stabilize the defensive rotation for the remainder of the in-progress matchup.