The Knicks kicked off a six-game homestand on Tuesday night, securing a 118-103 victory against the Utah Jazz and extending their winning streak to eight games.
Akin to the previous commanding win against the Charlotte Hornets, the Knicks faced the challenge of playing without star small forward OG Anunoby for the second consecutive game due to right elbow inflammation.
With Anunoby listed as day-to-day, Tom Thibodeau had to once again rely on a makeshift starting lineup featuring Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, Josh Hart, Precious Achiwua, and Isaiah Hartenstein.
Utah initially gained a nine-point lead in the first quarter, connecting on three consecutive three-pointers. However, the Knicks responded swiftly, led by back-to-back threes from DiVincenzo, allowing them to take the lead.
DiVincenzo, building on his strong performance from the previous night, contributed 11 points, along with an assist and a pair of steals in the first quarter. Despite a late ankle scare, he continued to play effectively.
Entering the second quarter with a seven-point lead, the Knicks’ second unit, spearheaded by Quentin Grimes, made a solid start. Grimes, unfortunately, left the game after injuring his ankle and knee.
DiVincenzo seamlessly replaced him, maintaining his impressive performance with successive three-pointers and impactful defense. Despite being shorthanded and Brunson’s limited scoring in the first half, the Knicks held an eight-point lead at halftime, with DiVincenzo leading all scorers with 19 points.
The Jazz initiated a 9-4 run at the start of the third quarter, narrowing the deficit to one. However, as was the trend throughout the game, DiVincenzo spearheaded an 11-point response, re-establishing a double-digit lead for the Knicks.
Capitalizing on this momentum, the Knicks expanded their lead to 25 and secured the win in the third quarter, propelled by formidable defense and sharp three-point shooting.
DiVincenzo exited the game to applause from the MSG crowd after achieving a career-high eight three-pointers in the fourth quarter. He concluded with a dominant performance, amassing 33 points, five rebounds, four assists, five steals, and a block.
Brunson, initially quiet, emerged as a key contributor, finishing with 27 points, nine assists, three rebounds, and a block.
Hart achieved his first-career triple-double with a 10-10-10 stat line, while Hartenstein registered a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Achiuwa stepped up with 16 points, and Grimes returned from his injury scare to finish with 12 points and six rebounds.
In the final minutes of the game, chants for Taj Gibson echoed from the fans, prompting Thibodeau to insert the center in his first game back with the team, contributing to the 118-103 victory.
With this win, the Knicks improved to a remarkable 14-2 since the start of the New Year, marking the franchise’s best month-long stretch since March 1994 (14-0). Additionally, they now hold sole possession of the third seed in the Eastern Conference, surpassing the Philadelphia 76ers.
Looking ahead, the Knicks aim to sustain their momentum as they face the Indiana Pacers, featuring the return of former Knick Obi Toppin, on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
