Dig It! Knicks Show Hart, Top Utah Behind 38 More From Brunson
Jalen Brunson learned the hard way that it isn't how you start but how you finish. The New York Knicks' primary point guard managed to handle both on Saturday night.
New York got back in the win column with a 126-120 victory over the Utah Jazz at Madison Square Garden. Jalen Brunson (Villanova University) and Julius Randle (Los Angeles Lakers) each enjoyed a happy reunion with trade deadline acquisition Josh Hart, who came off the bench to tally 11 points, seven rebounds, and four assists and steals each in his New York debut. Hart was previously acquired from the Portland Trail Blazers in a deal made shortly before the NBA's Thursday trade deadline.
Brunson once again got things off to a good start, tallying 15 points in the first quarter en route to 38 total, reaching the 30-plateau for the second straight game and fourth time in his past six.
That performance came just over 24 hours after a 20-point posting in the first quarter was made irrelevant in Philadelphia, but Brunson and the Knicks atoned for their second half shortcomings and then some. He himself added 10 more over the final dozen minutes, which saw the Knicks (31-27) score 39, a season-best in a final period this season.
In addition to Brunson's mastery, Julius Randle scored 31 while RJ Barrett had 20, half of that coming in the fourth to match Brunson. It marked the 10th occasion where the Knicks' top three scorers all scored at least 20 in the same game, and New York's record improved to 7-3 in such games. To seal the occasion, the trio earned a triple on three consecutive possessions over the final four minutes, building a 118-109 lead that proved permanent.
Combined with their win in Salt Lake City in November, the Knicks earned a sweep in their yearly couple against Utah (28-30) for the first time since the 2017-18 season. Lauri Markkanen had 29 to lead the way while Talen Horton-Tucker put in 23 off the bench. New York's own reserves came to play as well, as Immanuel Quickley had 15 while Isaiah Hartenstein hauled in 14 rebounds (uniting for 24 total with starting center Jericho Sims).
The Knicks return to action on Monday when they face the new-look Brooklyn Nets, freshly relieved of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, in Manhattan (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG).
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
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