New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) looks to move the ball around Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
NEW YORK (AP) — 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…
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