Phil Jackson could do worse than drafting a player like Tim Hardaway Jr. at No. 24.
Philly’s Michael Carter-Williams should win Rookie of the Year, but Hardaway Jr. also looked worthy of the part Monday.
Hardaway, picked by the Knicks late in the first round last June, lit up an otherwise dreary night against the moribund Sixers, pumping in 28 points off the bench as the Knicks continued this late playoff drive with a 123-110 Garden victory for their fourth straight win. The Sixers lost their 17th straight.
The Knicks (25-40) kept pace with No. 8 Atlanta, which finished its disastrous road trip in Utah on Monday with a 112-110 win to remain 3 ¹/₂ games ahead for the eighth and final playoff spot.
“We dug such a big hole and now we are fighting,’’ Mike Woodson said. “These guys haven’t quit and we are trying to get that eighth spot.’’
Hardaway, who shot 9-of-13 from the field and made 5-of-7 3-pointers, was one of four Knicks to break the 20-point mark. Their offensive surge made up for the loss of defensive center Tyson Chandler, out because of an “urgent personal matter.’’
Hardaway had been in a little shooting slump since the All-Star break, showing signs of hitting the rookie wall. But he busted out Monday.
“Tim is a very confident person,’’ Carmelo Anthony said. “As far as shooting slumps, I don’t think he believes he’s in a shooting slump. He’s always been a very confident person since day one he stepped on our floor with our team.’’
Recently, Hardaway became agitated when asked if he knew of the rookie wall, but he admits he’s fighting through it.
“This is two college seasons,’’ Hardaway said. “I feel it a bit but you have to go out there, execute and not worry about it.’’
Amar’e Stoudemire, who moved to starting center for Chandler, continued his hot hand, notching 23 points on 9-of-10 shooting with six rebounds. After a slow start, Anthony buried 22 points despite shooting 9-of-24, including 0-of-7 from 3-point range. Anthony also had nine rebounds and five assists, while J.R. Smith pumped in 22 points.
“I love nights like this,’’ Anthony said. “Four guys getting 20 points, sharing the ball, having fun, taking the load off me. ‘’
Carter-Williams, the former Syracuse point guard, notched a triple-double on the final possession with a last-second assist in a losing cause — racking up 23 points, 10 dishes and 13 rebounds.
The Knicks are finding their Zen, but it’s been overshadowed by the Jackson front-office negotiations.
“I haven’t paid attention lately, I’ve been watching the Golf Channel,’’ Smith cracked. “If he is [part of the franchise], great. If he isn’t, that’s fine too. He’s won [11] championships. Any wisdom he has will benefit us.’’
With Chandler out, Stoudemire’s continued to play like an All-Star.
“He’s just consistent, playing unbelievable, offensively, defensively,’’ Anthony said. “He’s been a threat, a guy we can throw the ball to make something happen.’’
Considering the Knicks lost to these Sixers in January at the Garden, a game after which Anthony cussed out a fan, any win is considered a positive — even if Philly had lost 16 straight and no longer has Evan Turner on its roster.
It was rather unimpressive as the Knicks struggled to put away the Sixers for three quarters. But they closed with panache, surging to a 13-2 run to start the fourth and finished shooting 54.3 percent.
The lifeless Knicks fell behind 29-17 after a James Anderson 3-pointer as the Garden grew quiet. The Knicks’ defense took a turn for the worse without Chandler and Anthony shot just 2-of-8 in the first quarter.
The Knicks took command late in the third quarter after trailing by a point. A 9-0 run was capped by Anthony popping in a jumper and Jeremy Tyler throwing down a rugged putback dunk. The Knicks carried a 91-85 bulge into the fourth.
Hardaway jacked it to 94-85 by draining a 3-pointer to start the final period. Soon after, Hardaway grabbed a long rebound and went coast to-coast for a layup — showing the athleticism that many NBA teams didn’t notice before the draft.