Jason Kidd not only missed the Knicks’ first Brooklyn encounter with back spasms, he refused to watch it while laid up in his Manhattan pad. “It’s tough to watch games,’’ Kidd said last night. “I didn’t watch it.’’
Kidd was in Brooklyn for the first time last night and rocked the borough, avenging last month’s overtime loss in which he did not participate. The final scene of last night’s 100-97 classic was Kidd bending his knees and throwing a sharp fist pump into the Brooklyn night at the final buzzer after knocking out his former club.
Kidd’s game-winning, left-wing, 3-pointer with 24.1 seconds left capped another wonderful night during this renaissance season, as he finished with 18 points — 6 of 9 from the field, 6 of 8 on 3-pointers. He had six assists, no turnovers and six rebounds. It was a masterpiece for a 39-year-old who seems to be getting younger this season.
“I’m a competitor. I want to win,’’ Kidd said of his fist pump. “That might be the biggest excitement and biggest celebration you’ll get out of me.’’
Kidd, looking like he stuck his foot out, was fouled on his shot as Jerry Stackhouse ran into him and tripped the future Hall of Famer after he had released the 3-ball.
After a celebration ensued following his 3, Kidd missed the free throw that would have iced it — the only blemish of the night.
“That was the worst shot ever,’’ Kidd said with a smile. “I was so excited. We had a commotion on the free-throw line and couldn’t focus. I should’ve made it.’’
Beyond every important intangible he brings, Kidd’s 3-point brilliance has been startling this season. He once was a poor 3-point shooter and was never a real good one until this season. He’s stroking it at 52 percent.
Ironically, he started his upward climb from 3-point range — as a Net. “When I was with Jersey, when I started working with [shooting coach] Bob Tate two years in, he said if you wanted to stay in the league, I have to make the shot from the 3-point line,’’ said Kidd.
Kidd’s 3-pointer was set up by Tyson Chandler, his former Dallas teammate, making a championship play by batting a missed J.R. Smith jumper back out to beyond midcourt where the Knicks regained possession. The brilliant Carmelo Anthony passed out of the double-team to struggling Raymond Felton, who found Kidd all alone. Teams still are leaving Kidd all alone at the 3-point line.
“I told Raymond if you’re in trouble, I’ll be open,’’ Kidd said.
Kidd said there was no extra emotion in beating the Nets.
“Different uniform, different team,’’ Kidd said. “I’m too old for that.’’
He’s actually not too old at all.
marc.berman@nypost.com