PORTLAND, Ore. — Splitting four games out west will have to suffice for the Knicks, especially considering star point guard Jalen Brunson played only two quarters on the road trip.
Tom Thibodeau’s team salvaged a 2-2 record over the past six days after dropping the first two games, with wins Sunday against the Lakers and Tuesday night over the Trail Blazers, 123-107, at Moda Center.
“It was huge. Because obviously when you don’t have one of your best players sometimes teams just crumble, or they go on a little losing streak,” Josh Hart said after nearly recording a triple double in his first game back in Portland since his trade to the Knicks last month. “We gave away one to Charlotte (last Tuesday at home) and then we had a tough two to begin the road trip.
“So to finish the road trip .500 and go back home, we’ll take it.”
Immanuel Quickley scored 26 points with 10 rebounds and Julius Randle had 24 points and 10 boards as the Knicks improved to 41-30 overall, including 11-3 since Josh Hart joined the lineup following a deadline deal with Portland on Feb. 8.
With the win, they moved a game ahead of the Nets into the No. 5 spot in the Eastern Conference standings.
Hart contributed 16 points with nine rebounds and eight assists over 37 minutes, while Cam Reddish was held to just two points off the bench for the Blazers in the first game between the teams since those players were traded for each other in the swap.
“I thought we got off to a sluggish start and then I thought our bench came in and gave us a huge lift,” Thibodeau said. “And I think a lot of that could be attributed to Josh. I love, I mean, you look at the boxscore, and it’s very telling.
“And then when the starters came back, they brought good energy, and they closed the gap. … That was a good solid team win.
Miles “Deuce” McBride registered a career-high 18 points and RJ Barrett added 22 as the Knicks overcame a 16-point first-half deficit. Damian Lillard scored 38 points and Anfernee Simons added 22 for the Blazers (31-38), who have dropped 12 of 17 since Feb. 4.
”I thought the rebounding was terrific. Josh, nearly a triple double, Quick had some big shots and Deuce, you can’t say enough about what he did,” Thibodeau said. “That’s probably his best game as a pro.”
Hart, who previously had been dealt by the Lakers in the Anthony Davis trade in 2019 and by the Pelicans in the CJ McCollum deal last year, didn’t seem particularly concerned about returning to Portland for the first time since becoming a Knick.
The Knicks missed their first seven shots, including four by Randle, and they trailed 33-20, after one quarter.
Early treys by McBride and Obi Toppin (11 points) in the second closed the deficit to eight, and McBride also hustled back to a swat away a dunk attempt by Simons. Randle sank three late free throws for 13 points in the half as the Knicks climbed within six, 55-49, by intermission.
A 3-pointer from the left side by Quentin Grimes and a driving dunk by Randle pulled the Knicks even less than two minutes into the third. Randle’s traditional three-point play with 3:54 left in the period put the Knicks ahead for their first lead of the game.
Two more long-range buckets by McBride and another by Quickley helped the Knicks open a 91-81 advantage entering the final period before pulling away in the fourth.
“I think it’s the mental toughness of this team. Nobody was really panicking early,” Quickley said. “Portland is a great team. We just felt like we could come back. Just sticking to the game plan, trying to make it tough for Lillard or Simons.
“But just really nobody panicking I think is the main thing that helps us to be able to stay in games.”
