


It was a Sunday stroll at MSG.
Tom Thibodeau’s squad buried the third opponent in its three-game homestand — trouncing the Hornets in the Garden matinee, 129-107 — benefiting from a balanced scoring attack and its typical stalwart defense.
Jalen Brunson (20 points), Julius Randle (23), RJ Barrett (24) and Immanuel Quickley (17) filled the box score efficiently for the Knicks (5-4), who start a five-game road trip Monday in Boston.
Sunday’s contest lost its drama early.
The Knicks finished the first quarter on a 7-0 run in 88 seconds, capped by a step-back 3-pointer from Quickley at the buzzer.
It provided the home side a seven-point lead, prompted Quickley into one of his animated celebrations, and the Knicks never looked back.
They led by double-digits for the final 29 minutes and the fourth-quarter was extended garbage time.
They shot 54 percent overall — including 42 percent from beyond the arc — in the wipeout.
The Knicks, who were one of only three teams last season with a better record on the road, are now 3-2 at MSG.
On the completed homestand, they beat the Hornets, Spurs and Clippers by at least 14 points each.
The rebuilding Hornets (3-6) got little offensively outside of LaMelo Ball, who finished with 32 points, seven rebounds and six assists.
They were hurt by the absence of Brandon Miller, the 2023 second overall pick who sprained his ankle in the second quarter.
Miller played just 10 minutes with 11 points before the injury.