The Knicks’ winless record against the top three teams in the NBA felt like a first-world problem when compared to the skidding team they ousted in the first round of the playoffs last spring.
Following their latest deflating losses to Eastern Conference powerhouses Cleveland and Boston over the weekend, however, the Knicks had all they could handle with the reeling 76ers before pulling out a sloppy 110-105 victory Wednesday night at the Garden.
The Sixers, who have been without All-Star center Joel Embiid for all but 19 games this season, have crashed out of the top-10 playoff positions in the East with nine consecutive losses.
But you wouldn’t have known it by watching Wednesday’s second half.
Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) sat out for the Knicks, with rookie center Ariel Hukporti getting the first starting nod of his NBA career.
Hukporti contributed eight points and two rebounds in 16 minutes, but he also departed the game in the fourth quarter with a left-knee injury.
Jalen Brunson finished with 34 points and seven assists, and Mikal Bridges netted 19 of his 28 in the first quarter for the Knicks (38-20).
Josh Hart grabbed 17 rebounds but committed seven of the Knicks’ 16 turnovers.
Tyrese Maxey led the Sixers with 30 points despite an 0-for-10 night from 3-point range, Kelly Oubre had 27 and Paul George added 25.