Brunson scores 38 as Knicks outlast Jazz in Hart’s NY debut

NEW YORK (AP)— Jalen Brunson scored 22 of his 38 points in the first half, JoshHart had 11 points off the bench in his Knicks debut and New Yorkoutlasted the Utah Jazz 126-120 on Saturday night.

Julius Randleadded 31 for New York, which has won three of four to improve to31-27. R.J. Barrett scored 20 points before fouling out, andImmanuel Quickley finished with 15.

“We have alot of unselfish guys who are willing to do whatever it takes towin,” Brunson said. “As long as we’re keeping that our mainpriority, we’re going to continue to get better.”

Hart,acquired Wednesday night from Portland, made a quick impact on hisnew team while adding seven rebounds and four assists.

“Josh washuge. How many did he have? Seven? Seven rebounds, something likethat,” Barrett said of his new teammate. “He brought a lot ofeffort, toughness.”

LauriMarkkanen scored 29 points to lead the Jazz, who lost for thefourth time in five games. Jordan Clarkson had 24, TalenHorton-Tucker added 23 off the bench and Collin Sexton finishedwith 15.

“Sometimesit’s just the game gets away from you and you struggle with some ofthe details on the defensive end,” Jazz coach Will Hardy said.“Situational basketball is something we talk about a lot.”

Hart snappeda 101-all tie with 6:44 left in the fourth with a corner 3 off afeed from Brunson — his former college teammate at Villanova. Onthe ensuing possession, Isaiah Hartenstein fouled Markkanen toprevent a dunk. After Utah’s power forward knocked down both freethrows, Hartenstein’s follow dunk allowed New York to regain itsthree-point lead.

The teamstraded baskets over the next two minutes, culminating withClarkson’s 12-footer which tied it at 109.

“MadisonSquare Garden, it’s tied, four minutes left, the place is rocking,”Hardy said. “It’s a great environment for our team and we relishthose moments. Obviously we wish we could have executed better downthe stretch.”

Consecutive3-pointers from Brunson and Barrett gave New York a 115-109 leadwith 3:49 left. A few moments later, Randle’s third 3 extended theadvantage to 118-109.

On New York’snext two possessions, Randle had a baseline dunk and found Hartwith a cross-court pass that pushed the lead to 123-114.

“I like theway he’s attacking the basket,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said ofRandle. “He’s attacking the rim and it sets up everything else forhim. He knocks down a couple 3s (and) now they come up on him. Heuses his quickness and strength really well.

“When I seehis aggressiveness, I know we’re (going) to be hard to beat.”

TIP-INS

Jazz: Hardysaid the next step in Markkanen’s development is to become aleader. “His presence has to change a little bit in the lockerroom,” Hardy said before the game. “It has to change a little bitat practice and shootaround and film sessions. Stepping into thatleadership role a little bit more now with that void being there.”Markkanen is averaging 24.7 points and 8.6 rebounds per game, andas such Hardy thinks he can handle increased responsibility. “He’sready for that,” Hardy said.

Knicks: About 3 1/2 hoursbefore tipoff, Hart met reporters for the first time as a member ofthe Knicks. Hart, who was teammates with Randle with the Lakers togo along with his friendship with Brunson, believes he has found ahome in New York. “Obviously on the court, there’s a lot of thingsI’m excited about, with teammates and Thibodeau) and the frontoffice I’m familiar with,” Hart said. “It’s my third time gettingtraded, sixth year in the league, fourth team, sixth head coach.It’s been a whirlwind. I didn’t think that was how my first sixyears were going to be, but I’m looking for a home, and I thinkthis could be it.”