Game ID: 22300671
Utah Jazz @ New York Knicks
Tuesday, January 30, 2024 at 7:30 PM ET
Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
NYK 29 28 36 25 118UTA 22 27 24 30 103
NYK vs UTA ScoutingNYK vs UTA Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
NYK availability going into 1/23 · 2 days' restOUT Robinson missed 22 since 12/11, out tonight
OUT Gibson missed 10 since 1/03, out tonight
BACK Brunson back 1/17 after 2, 37 min since (104% of 36)
BACK Fournier back 1/18 after 9, 6 min since (43% of 13)
BACK Sims back 1/20 after 5, 3 min since (22% of 12)
NEW Hartenstein 26 to 35 min over the last 5
NYK availability going into 1/25 · 1 day's restOUT Robinson missed 23 since 12/11, out tonight
OUT Fournier missed 2 since 1/20, out tonight
OUT Gibson missed 11 since 1/03, out tonight
BACK Brunson back 1/17 after 2, 37 min since (103% of 36)
BACK Sims back 1/20 after 5, 15 min since (120% of 12)
NEW Hartenstein 26 to 33 min over the last 4
NYK availability going into 1/27 · 1 day's restOUT Hartenstein missed 2 since 1/23, returns tonight: 16 min (60% of 26)
OUT Robinson missed 24 since 12/11, out tonight
OUT Fournier missed 3 since 1/20, out tonight
OUT Gibson missed 12 since 1/03, out tonight
BACK Brunson back 1/17 after 2, 35 min since (97% of 36)
BACK Sims back 1/20 after 5, 18 min since (150% of 12)
NYK availability going into 1/29 · 1 day's restOUT Robinson missed 25 since 12/11, out tonight
OUT Fournier missed 4 since 1/20, out tonight
OUT Gibson missed 13 since 1/03, out tonight
BACK Hartenstein back 1/27 after 2, 16 min since (60% of 26)
BACK Sims back 1/20 after 5, 14 min since (115% of 12)
NYK availability going into 1/30 · back-to-backOUT Robinson missed 26 since 12/11, out tonight
OUT Fournier missed 5 since 1/20, out tonight
OUT Gibson missed 14 since 1/03, returns tonight: 0 min (5% of 10)
BACK Hartenstein back 1/27 after 2, 16 min since (62% of 26)
BACK Sims back 1/20 after 5, 16 min since (130% of 12)
NYK availability going into 2/01 · 1 day's restOUT Randle missed 2 since 1/29, out tonight
OUT Anunoby missed 2 since 1/29, out tonight
OUT Robinson missed 27 since 12/11, out tonight
OUT Fournier missed 6 since 1/20, out tonight
BACK Hartenstein back 1/27 after 2, 20 min since (79% of 26)
BACK Gibson back 1/30 after 14, 0 min since (5% of 10)
NEW Achiuwa 24 to 30 min over the last 5
NEW Sims 12 to 19 min over the last 5
NYK availability going into 2/03 · 1 day's restOUT Randle missed 3 since 1/29, out tonight
OUT Anunoby missed 3 since 1/29, out tonight
OUT Robinson missed 28 since 12/11, out tonight
OUT Fournier missed 7 since 1/20, out tonight
BACK Hartenstein back 1/27 after 2, 24 min since (93% of 26)
BACK Gibson back 1/30 after 14, 0 min since (5% of 10)
NEW Achiuwa 24 to 34 min over the last 5
NYK availability going into 2/06 · 2 days' restOUT Randle missed 4 since 1/29, out tonight
OUT Anunoby missed 4 since 1/29, out tonight
OUT Robinson missed 29 since 12/11, out tonight
OUT Fournier missed 8 since 1/20, out tonight
OUT Gibson missed 2 since 2/01, returns tonight: 13 min (126% of 10)
BACK Hartenstein back 1/27 after 2, 26 min since (100% of 26)
NEW DiVincenzo 30 to 36 min over the last 5
NEW Achiuwa 24 to 38 min over the last 5
NEW Grimes 20 to 26 min over the last 3
NYK availability going into 2/08 · 1 day's restOUT Randle missed 5 since 1/29, out tonight
OUT Anunoby missed 5 since 1/29, out tonight
OUT Robinson missed 30 since 12/11, out tonight
OUT Fournier missed 9 since 1/20, not on tonight's roster
BACK Gibson back 1/30 after 14, 7 min since (66% of 10)
NEW Hart 35 to 40 min over the last 5
NEW DiVincenzo 30 to 40 min over the last 5
NEW Achiuwa 24 to 40 min over the last 5
NEW Sims 12 to 17 min over the last 4
UTA availability going into 1/23 · 2 days' restOUT Hendricks missed 4 since 1/13, out tonight
OUT Horton-Tucker missed 8 since 1/06, returns tonight: 8 min (41% of 20)
OUT Juzang missed 18 since 12/18, out tonight
OUT Sensabaugh missed 4 since 1/13, out tonight
OUT Potter missed 18 since 12/18, out tonight
OUT Yurtseven missed 2 since 1/18, out tonight
UTA availability going into 1/25 · 1 day's restOUT Hendricks missed 5 since 1/13, out tonight
OUT Juzang missed 19 since 12/18, out tonight
OUT Sensabaugh missed 5 since 1/13, out tonight
OUT Potter missed 19 since 12/18, out tonight
OUT Yurtseven missed 3 since 1/18, returns tonight: 1 min (9% of 11)
BACK Horton-Tucker back 1/23 after 8, 8 min since (41% of 20)
UTA availability going into 1/27 · 1 day's restOUT Hendricks missed 6 since 1/13, out tonight
OUT Juzang missed 20 since 12/18, out tonight
OUT Sensabaugh missed 6 since 1/13, out tonight
OUT Potter missed 20 since 12/18, out tonight
BACK Horton-Tucker back 1/23 after 8, 8 min since (41% of 20)
BACK Yurtseven back 1/25 after 3, 1 min since (9% of 11)
UTA availability going into 1/29 · 1 day's restOUT Hendricks missed 7 since 1/13, out tonight
OUT Horton-Tucker missed 2 since 1/25, returns tonight: 8 min (39% of 20)
OUT Juzang missed 21 since 12/18, out tonight
OUT Sensabaugh missed 7 since 1/13, out tonight
OUT Potter missed 21 since 12/18, out tonight
BACK Yurtseven back 1/25 after 3, 1 min since (9% of 11)
UTA availability going into 1/30 · back-to-backOUT Hendricks missed 8 since 1/13, out tonight
OUT Juzang missed 22 since 12/18, out tonight
OUT Sensabaugh missed 8 since 1/13, out tonight
OUT Potter missed 22 since 12/18, out tonight
BACK Horton-Tucker back 1/23 after 8, 8 min since (40% of 20)
BACK Yurtseven back 1/25 after 3, 4 min since (38% of 11)
UTA availability going into 2/01 · 1 day's restOUT Hendricks missed 9 since 1/13, out tonight
OUT Juzang missed 23 since 12/18, out tonight
OUT Sensabaugh missed 9 since 1/13, out tonight
OUT Potter missed 23 since 12/18, out tonight
BACK Horton-Tucker back 1/23 after 8, 8 min since (40% of 20)
BACK Yurtseven back 1/25 after 3, 4 min since (38% of 11)
UTA availability going into 2/04 · 2 days' restOUT Hendricks missed 10 since 1/13, out tonight
OUT Horton-Tucker missed 2 since 1/30, out tonight
OUT Juzang missed 24 since 12/18, out tonight
OUT Sensabaugh missed 10 since 1/13, out tonight
OUT Potter missed 24 since 12/18, out tonight
BACK Yurtseven back 1/25 after 3, 3 min since (25% of 11)
UTA availability going into 2/06 · 1 day's restOUT Hendricks missed 11 since 1/13, out tonight
OUT Horton-Tucker missed 3 since 1/30, out tonight
OUT Juzang missed 25 since 12/18, out tonight
OUT Sensabaugh missed 11 since 1/13, out tonight
OUT Potter missed 25 since 12/18, out tonight
UTA availability going into 2/08 · 1 day's restOUT Hendricks missed 12 since 1/13, returns tonight: 18 min (82% of 21)
OUT Horton-Tucker missed 4 since 1/30, returns tonight: 14 min (69% of 20)
OUT Juzang missed 26 since 12/18, returns tonight: 2 min (9% of 19)
OUT Sensabaugh missed 12 since 1/13, out tonight
OUT Potter missed 26 since 12/18, out tonight
OUT Yurtseven missed 2 since 2/04, returns tonight: 2 min (15% of 11)
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New York comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 98, shooting 52 percent and 39 from three, 20 free throws a game; Brunson at 31 and Randle at 21 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 9 a night. Without Robinson (26 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Utah comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 131, shooting 49 percent and 36 from three, 23 free throws a game; Markkanen at 22 and Sexton at 18 a game. Without Hendricks (8 straight), Juzang (22 straight), Sensabaugh (8 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: New York wins, and the game turns on the defense, New York allowing 98 a night to Utah's 131 and the glass, where New York has been plus-9 a night and Utah plus-2. Call it New York 123, Utah 111, New York by 12.
1/23 @ BKN 108-103 — NYK notes
NYK won 108-103. NYK shot 47% (40 of 86) to BKN's 44%, 10 of 29 from three, and went to the line 19 times to BKN's 5 — 18 points from the stripe to their 4. Randle led with 30 (10 of 19, 8 of 8 at the line); Brunson added 30, DiVincenzo 11. The hinge was Q4, 32-18: NYK came in trailing by 9 and left it ahead by 5. Achiuwa was the night's best plus/minus at +13.
1/25 vs DEN 122-84 — NYK notes
NYK won 122-84. NYK shot 53% (45 of 85) to DEN's 40%, 15 of 38 from three, and went to the line 20 times to DEN's 13 — 17 points from the stripe to their 11. NYK turned it over 8 times to DEN's 19. Anunoby led with 26 (10 of 18, 3 of 9 from three); Brunson added 21, Grimes 19. The hinge was Q1, 33-21: from level to 12 ahead, and the lead reached 38. Anunoby was the night's best plus/minus at +38.
1/27 vs MIA 125-109 — NYK notes
NYK won 125-109. NYK shot 52% (45 of 87) to MIA's 47%, 17 of 33 from three, and went to the line 26 times to MIA's 16 — 18 points from the stripe to their 13. Brunson led with 32 (12 of 22, 4 of 8 from three); Anunoby added 19, Randle 19. The hinge was Q2, 34-21: NYK came in trailing by 3 and left it ahead by 10, and the lead reached 22. Hart was the night's best plus/minus at +30.
1/29 @ CHA 113-92 — NYK notes
NYK won 113-92. NYK shot 52% (44 of 84) to CHA's 46%, 12 of 37 from three. Brunson led with 32 (13 of 24, 2 of 6 from three); DiVincenzo added 28, McBride 11. The hinge was Q3, 44-24: a lead of 3 became 23, and the lead reached 29. DiVincenzo was the night's best plus/minus at +24.
1/30 vs UTA 118-103 — NYK notes
NYK won 118-103. NYK shot 47% (44 of 94) to UTA's 45%, 13 of 34 from three. NYK turned it over 5 times to UTA's 14. DiVincenzo led with 33 (11 of 22, 9 of 15 from three); Brunson added 29, Achiuwa 18. The hinge was Q3, 36-24: a lead of 8 became 20, and the lead reached 25. DiVincenzo was the night's best plus/minus at +23.
2/01 vs IND — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New York comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 98, shooting 50 percent and 39 from three, 20 free throws a game; Brunson at 29 and Randle at 22 a game. That is 5 straight wins. Without Randle (2 straight), Anunoby (2 straight), Robinson (27 straight). One day's rest. Indiana comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 121, shooting 51 percent and 34 from three, 18 free throws a game; Siakam at 23 and Nesmith at 19 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Without McConnell (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: New York wins, and the game turns on the defense, New York allowing 98 a night to Indiana's 121 and the arc, New York at 39 percent from three to Indiana's 34. Call it New York 120, Indiana 113.
2/03 vs LAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New York comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 99, shooting 48 percent and 36 from three, 21 free throws a game; Brunson at 31 and DiVincenzo at 22 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Randle (3 straight), Anunoby (3 straight), Robinson (28 straight). One day's rest. The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 128 a night and allowing 131, shooting 50 percent and 45 from three, 28 free throws a game; James at 26 and Davis at 25 a game. They have lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Davis (2 straight), Reddish (5 straight), Vincent (22 straight). One day's rest.
So: New York wins, and the game turns on the defense, New York allowing 99 a night to the Lakers' 131 and the glass, where New York has been plus-6 a night and the Lakers minus-7. Call it New York 121, the Lakers 112.
2/06 vs MEM — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New York comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 104, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 20 free throws a game; Brunson at 34 and DiVincenzo at 24 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Without Randle (4 straight), Anunoby (4 straight), Robinson (29 straight). 2 days' rest. Memphis comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 99 a night and allowing 116, shooting 41 percent and 32 from three, 22 free throws a game; Jackson Jr. at 25 and Williams Jr. at 17 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without Bane (12 straight), LaRavia (11 straight), Williams (4 straight). One day's rest.
So: New York wins, and the game turns on the glass, where New York has been plus-8 a night and Memphis minus-8 and the turnovers, Memphis giving it away 14 times a game to New York's 8. Call it New York 116, Memphis 103, New York by 13.
2/08 vs DAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New York comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 105, shooting 47 percent and 32 from three, 19 free throws a game; Brunson at 33 and DiVincenzo at 28 a game. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Randle (5 straight), Anunoby (5 straight), Robinson (30 straight). One day's rest. Dallas comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 118, shooting 50 percent and 39 from three, 26 free throws a game; Dončić at 35 and Hardaway Jr. at 16 a game. Without Lively II (4 straight), Exum (6 straight). One day's rest.
So: New York wins, and the game turns on the glass, where New York has been plus-7 a night and Dallas minus-3 and the defense, New York allowing 105 a night to Dallas's 118. Call it New York 117, Dallas 111.
1/23 @ NOP 124-153 — UTA notes
UTA lost 124-153. UTA shot 47% (43 of 92) to NOP's 58%, 12 of 36 from three, and went to the line 32 times to NOP's 15 — 26 points from the stripe to their 10. The glass went 38-57 against them. Sexton led with 22 (9 of 12, 2 of 4 from three); Fontecchio added 18, Collins 14. Q1 was theirs, 30-34, but the other 3 periods went 119-94 against them. Kessler's -26 in 25 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/25 @ WAS 123-108 — UTA notes
UTA won 123-108. UTA shot 52% (50 of 97) to WAS's 49%, 13 of 31 from three, and got to the line 12 times to WAS's 20. The glass went 52-35 for them. Markkanen led with 29 (11 of 20, 6 of 12 from three); Collins added 22, Clarkson 19. The hinge was Q3, 34-22: a lead of 8 became 20, and the lead reached 25. Collins was the night's best plus/minus at +22.
1/27 @ CHA 134-122 — UTA notes
UTA won 134-122. UTA shot 56% (52 of 93) to CHA's 51%, 17 of 41 from three. The glass went 49-35 for them. Markkanen led with 33 (12 of 18, 7 of 12 from three); Sexton added 24, Collins 20. The hinge was Q1, 47-24: from level to 23 ahead, and the lead reached 36. Markkanen was the night's best plus/minus at +19.
1/29 @ BKN 114-147 — UTA notes
UTA lost 114-147. UTA shot 45% (39 of 86) to BKN's 51%, 9 of 27 from three, and went to the line 34 times to BKN's 19 — 27 points from the stripe to their 18. UTA turned it over 17 times to BKN's 8, and BKN turned those into 12 steals. George led with 21 (6 of 11, 3 of 7 from three, 6 of 7 at the line); Collins added 15, Markkanen 13. Q2 was theirs, 29-28, the deficit cut from 15 to 14, but the other 3 periods went 119-85 against them. George's -26 in 27 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/30 @ NYK 103-118 — UTA notes
UTA lost 103-118. UTA shot 45% (39 of 86) to NYK's 47%, 12 of 36 from three. UTA turned it over 14 times to NYK's 5, and NYK turned those into 9 steals. Sexton led with 22 (7 of 13, 2 of 4 from three, 6 of 8 at the line); George added 15, Markkanen 14. Q4 was theirs, 30-25, the deficit cut from 20 to 15, but the other 3 periods went 93-73 against them. Clarkson's -19 in 31 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/01 vs PHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Utah comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 130, shooting 49 percent and 37 from three, 22 free throws a game; Markkanen at 20 and Sexton at 17 a game. Without Hendricks (9 straight), Juzang (23 straight), Sensabaugh (9 straight). One day's rest. Philadelphia comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 123, shooting 48 percent and 28 from three, 30 free throws a game; Embiid at 38 and Harris at 16 a game. That is 4 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Maxey (3 straight), Melton (9 straight), Covington (14 straight). One day's rest.
So: Utah wins, and the game turns on the arc, Utah at 37 percent from three to Philadelphia's 28 and the glass, where Utah has been plus-1 a night and Philadelphia minus-6. Call it Utah 120, Philadelphia 119, Philadelphia keeping it close.
2/04 vs MIL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Utah comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 124, shooting 50 percent and 37 from three, 21 free throws a game; Markkanen at 23 and Sexton at 17 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Hendricks (10 straight), Horton-Tucker (2 straight), Juzang (24 straight). 2 days' rest. Milwaukee comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 116, shooting 49 percent and 38 from three, 23 free throws a game; Antetokounmpo at 31 and Lillard at 24 a game. Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Utah wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Utah has been plus-5 a night and Milwaukee minus-2 and the defense, Milwaukee allowing 116 a night to Utah's 124. Call it Utah 121, Milwaukee 120, Milwaukee keeping it close.
2/06 vs OKC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Utah comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 124, shooting 49 percent and 36 from three, 23 free throws a game; Markkanen at 22 and Sexton at 19 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Hendricks (11 straight), Horton-Tucker (3 straight), Juzang (25 straight). One day's rest. OKC comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 112, shooting 48 percent and 39 from three, 19 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 31 and Holmgren at 14 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Jal. Williams (3 straight), Joe (3 straight). One day's rest.
So: OKC wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, OKC allowing 112 a night to Utah's 124 and the glass, where Utah has been plus-6 a night and OKC minus-1. Call it OKC 118, Utah 117, Utah keeping it close.
2/08 @ PHX — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Phoenix comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 126 a night and allowing 114, shooting 55 percent and 39 from three, 23 free throws a game; Durant at 27 and Booker at 23 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. One day's rest. Utah comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 123, shooting 49 percent and 36 from three, 24 free throws a game; Markkanen at 22 and Sexton at 17 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Hendricks (12 straight), Horton-Tucker (4 straight), Juzang (26 straight). One day's rest.
So: Phoenix wins, and the game turns on the defense, Phoenix allowing 114 a night to Utah's 123. Call it Phoenix 123, Utah 115.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
NYKDD D. DiVincenzo
IH I. Hartenstein
JB J. Brunson
JH J. Hart
JS J. Sims
MM M. McBride
PA P. Achiuwa
QG Q. Grimes
RA R. Arcidiacono
UTACS C. Sexton
JC J. Clarkson
JC J. Collins
KD K. Dunn
KG K. George
KO K. Olynyk
LM L. Markkanen
OA O. Agbaji
SF S. Fontecchio
WK W. Kessler
NYK/UTA the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Knicks win eighth straight, finish January 14-2 by beating Jazz 118-103
NEW YORK -- — Jalen Brunson believed the New York Knicks were headed in the right direction when the calendar turned to 2024.
He didn't realize they would start it with one of the best months in franchise history.
Brunson had 29 points and nine assists, Donte DiVincenzo made a career-high nine 3-pointers and the Knicks beat the Utah Jazz 118-103 on Tuesday night for their eighth straight victory.
DiVincenzo scored 33 to lead the Knicks, who finished 14-2 in January. That was their most wins in a month since going 14-0 in March 1994 and just one shy of their most ever, when they were 15-3 in December 1968.
“I’d be lying if I said I saw this coming, but I think one thing I do know is that we’re going to continue to get better every single day and that’s what we’ve been able to do,” Brunson said.
With starting forwards Julius Randle and OG Anunoby sidelined for the second straight night, Precious Achiuwa started and matched a season high with 18 points. Josh Hart finished with 10 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for his first career triple-double — just the 10th player in NBA history to do it by finishing exactly 10-10-10 — and Isaiah Hartenstein had 14 points and 12 boards.
Collin Sexton scored 22 points for the Jazz, who lost in New York for the second straight night to finish their road trip at 2-4. They were more competitive in this one than in their 147-114 loss on Monday in Brooklyn but eventually overmatched.
“We’re just not doing a good enough job of being physical and this is two nights in a row where a team has made us pay for it,” Jazz coach Will Hardy said.
The Knicks broke open the game by outscoring the Jazz 36-24 in the third quarter, when Brunson scored 13 points. He just missed what would have been his 10th 30-point game of the month.
Just 17-15 after three straight losses to end December, the Knicks improved to 31-17 and entered play Tuesday just percentage points behind Philadelphia for third place in the Eastern Conference.
“We’re playing well, we’re playing to our strengths we are just having good vibes,” Hart said.
Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said Randle is still evaluating treatment options after dislocating his right shoulder in a victory over Miami on Saturday and should know more soon. Anunoby, whose arrival in a trade with Toronto triggered the Knicks' big month, has right elbow inflammation.
New York's lead was just 61-60 after Sexton's 3-pointer, but Achiuwa scored to begin an 11-0 run that Brunson ended with a 3-point play and a 3-pointer, making it 72-60. The lead was 10 after another basket by Sexton before the Knicks ran off 15 straight points, with DiVincenzo making two 3-pointers in the spurt that Quentin Grimes capped with two free throws to make it 91-66 with 1:38 remaining in the third.
With starting center Mitchell Robinson already out while recovering from left ankle surgery, the Knicks brought back Taj Gibson , the 38-year-old big man they waived earlier this season, on a 10-day contract.
Fans began chanting “We want Taj! We want Taj!” late in the game and Thibodeau put his trusted veteran in at the end.