SALT LAKE CITY — There was no sugarcoating an ugly first-half efficiency from the Knicks in the locker room, and the harsh phrases during the break helped spur a comeback in Wednesday’s 134-117 victory over the Jazz.
“It was our halftime speech, in terms of how we came at each other, where we tried to hold each other accountable,” Clarkson said. “And then just came out here and wanted to win.”
What was the message?
“Get our s–t together,” said Clarkson, including that the dialogue was began by the coaches before the gamers took over.
The Knicks responded by selecting up the protection and, more necessary, being cautious with the ball on offense. Coach Mike Brown broke down the story of two halves.
“We committed eight turnovers for 14 points [in the first half] and a lot of them were unforced,” the coach said. “So much of these turnovers led to simple baskets in transition for Utah. They had 27 fast-break factors in that first half, the method we calculate it.
“We cleaned both those areas at halftime. We had just four turnovers in the second half, giving up four points off those turnovers, and then we gave up just five fast-break points in the second half. And that was the difference in the game. We gave ourselves an opportunity to shoot the basketball. And when we did, it obviously went in.”
Jordan Clarkson, who scored 27 factors off the bench, goes up for a layup as Oscar Tshiebwe defends during the Knicks’ 134-117 win overt the Jazz in Salt Lake City on March 11, 2026. AP
The Knicks outscored the Jazz 78-52 in the second half. And that occurred after a fireplace was lit under the gamers at halftime.
“It helped us win,” Brunson said.
Barring a surprising NBA Finals matchup, there will be no Stephen Curry at MSG this season.
The Golden State guard, who has missed the previous 15 video games with a bone bruise in his proper knee, will be re-evaluated in 10 days, the team announced Wednesday.
That means the sport at MSG on March 15 is off the desk.
Curry, 37, has 10 straight wins at MSG, including last 12 months during his 28-point efficiency.
He scored 54 factors at the Garden in 2013.
Josh Hart was dominated out of Wednesday’s sport with knee soreness.
He was changed in the lineup by Landry Shamet, although the starters struggled as a unit in Utah.
With Clarkson catching fireplace and carrying the Knicks to a comeback win, Mikal Bridges was benched in the fourth quarter Wednesday for a second straight sport.
Bridges had just 5 factors in 27 minutes.
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