Sizzling Knicks cap stellar January by coasting past Jazz

Field Level Media|published: Tue 30th January, 22:22 2024

Jan 30, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Donte DiVincenzo (0) celebrates his three point shot against the Utah Jazz during the third quarter at Madison Square Garden. credits: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Donte DiVincenzo hit a career-high nine 3-pointers and finished with 33 points on Tuesday night for the red-hot New York Knicks, who completed their best month in almost 30 years with a 118-103 win over the visiting Utah Jazz.

DiVincenzo went 9-for-15 from beyond the arc and finished one 3-pointer shy of matching the franchise record, shared by J.R. Smith and Evan Fournier.

Josh Hart posted his first career triple-double with 10 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists while Jalen Brunson had 29 points and nine assists for the Knicks, who won their final eight games of January to finish the month 14-2.

The 14 wins are the most by the Knicks in a calendar month since a Patrick Ewing-led, Pat Riley-coached team went 14-0 in March 1994 — just months before New York fell to the Houston Rockets in the NBA Finals in June.

Isaiah Hartenstein had a double-double (14 points, 12 rebounds), Precious Achiuwa scored 18 points and Quentin Grimes added 12 points off the bench for the Knicks, who won for the second straight game without OG Anunoby and Julius Randle. Anunoby is day-to-day with right elbow inflammation, while Randle is out indefinitely with a dislocated shoulder.

The Knicks combined for just five individual turnovers, their second fewest in a game this season. New York added one team turnover.

Collin Sexton scored 22 points for the Jazz, who finished 2-4 on a six-game road trip. John Collins had a double-double (11 points, 11 rebounds), while Keyonte George scored 15 points off the bench. Simone Fontecchio and Lauri Markkanen each had 14 points and reserve Jordan Clarkson added 11.

The Jazz opened the game on a 15-6 run before the Knicks took control by ending the quarter with a 23-7 surge. Grimes' layup with 3:25 left in the period gave New York the lead for good at 22-20.

The Jazz got within one possession four times in the second quarter, which ended with the Knicks ahead 57-49. Utah opened the third quarter on an 11-4 run, but New York put the game away by ending the frame with a 32-13 outburst that included an 11-0 spurt and a 15-0 spurt, the latter of which extended the lead to 25 points at 91-66.

The Knicks led by at least 13 points throughout the fourth.

—Field Level Media

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