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New York Knicks: Mario Hezonja’s ‘homecoming’ not enough against Magic

By Rob Wolkenbrod

ORLANDO, FL - APRIL 3: Mitchell Robinson #26 of the New York Knicks dunks the ball against the Orlando Magic on April 3, 2019 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - APRIL 3: Mitchell Robinson #26 of the New York Knicks dunks the ball against the Orlando Magic on April 3, 2019 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The home stretch continued Wednesday, as the New York Knicks dropped their game against the Orlando Magic, 114-100.

There are few aspects of this final stretch for the New York Knicks to anticipate. Some young talent have played well, but other players have struggled to make an impact and instead found themselves with little playing time or at the end of the bench.

For Wednesday night’s game, it was about the first played game for Mario Hezonja against the team that opted to not exercise his 2018-19 team option. While the Knicks lost, 114-100, this player still showed up and played his most inspired basketball of the season.

In over 30 minutes, Hezonja led with 29 points, nine rebounds, five assists and two steals on a gaudy 11-for-22 shooting. He made just 1-of-5 three-pointers, had three turnovers and five personal fouls, but the pros outweighed the cons for one night, as he received some revenge on his former team, even if it means little.

It took a while to garner this kind of game from Hezonja, as well. He flashed potential with Orlando and the Knicks earlier this season but failed to put it all together. Nights like this prove possible for his NBA career to continue, and it’s difficult to think someone won’t gamble on the 24-year-old, but not for another $6.5 million.

Otherwise, there were glimpses from Kevin Knox and Mitchell Robinson, but the night slipped away after Terrence Ross delivered a trio of three-pointers and put this game to bed earlier than expected. The Knicks were not able to overcome a double-digit point deficit in the second half, and they fell behind for all of the fourth quarter.

  • Knox’s 21 points on 7-for-13 shooting marked a solid night for the usually inefficient rookie. Any stat line like that is meaningful towards offseason momentum.
  • Robinson’s night was quieter than the previous few, but he still had 12 points, nine rebounds, three steals and two blocks on 6-for-9 shooting. He’s a defensive force and this team’s most exciting piece by far.
  • Emmanuel Mudiay had a quiet 13 points and 10 assists since he shot just 3-for-13 from the field.
  • Billy Garrett, who the Knicks signed to a rest-of-the-season contract, had four points on 2-for-6 shooting in his NBA debut.
  • Luke Kornet lost his starting spot for the night to Hezonja, and he delivered six points in 14 minutes.

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The New York Knicks will return to the court on Friday, April 5, against the Houston Rockets. Game time is 8:00 p.m. ET.

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