CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Knicks made easy work of an easy opponent in their first game without Julius Randle.
The Villanova duo of Jalen Brunson and Donte DiVincenzo combined for 60 points, feasting on the miserable Hornets despite injury absences to Randle and OG Anunoby.
Their 113-92 victory completed a season sweep of Charlotte, pushing New York’s winning streak to a league-best seven games.
The Hornets, (10-35), losers of four straight, hung around until halftime as the Knicks (30-17) adjusted to life without their two regular forwards.
(Then the Knicks buried their overmatched opponent with a 27-9 run near the beginning of the third quarter.)
With one more game to go in January, Tom Thibodeau’s squad secured the franchise’s first 13-win month since January 1995, according to Elias Sports Bureau.
They’re playing so well that even Thibodeau got a rousing ovation in the pregame intros.
“Thibs got an ovation, man,” Josh Hart said. “So I was excited for him.”
It was much different for Hornets coach Steve Clifford at the Charlotte arena. His team lived up to its reputation by folding, not long after Clifford conceded pregame, “It’s not like we’re playing meaningful games.”
Clifford stopped himself quickly — “they’re meaningful and we want to win and all that,” he added — but it’s a hard statement to overlook given the context of the franchise.
The Spectrum Center was empty Monday, and most of the attending fans wore Knicks gear. It erupted in “Let’s Go Knicks” chants in the fourth quarter with the visitors up 29.
“Every road game feels like a home game for us,” DiVincenzo said.
Brunson dropped 32 points in 34 minutes, shooting 13-for-24. DiVincenzo went 42 minutes with 28 points on 22 shots (15 3-point attempts), benefiting from an enormous green light and making up for Randle’s absent points.
“I have confidence in my shot regardless,” DiVincenzo said. “I don’t know what I shot, I don’t care what I shot, because the guys on the court, the coaching staff, believe it’s a good shot.”
The Knicks led by just 3 at the break and by double digits for the final 18 minutes.
It was another win for the Knicks against a bad team (they’re 20-0 versus those with records currently under .500) and another sad night for the Hornets.
Clifford, whose team was playing without LaMelo Ball (sore ankle), was ejected in the fourth quarter for arguing aggressively with a referee about a non-call.
“I wish I wouldn’t have done that — it doesn’t help anything,” Clifford said.
Life without Randle would be a cakewalk if the Knicks always played the Hornets. The more telling tasks will be the upcoming home slate against the Jazz (Tuesday), Pacers (Thursday) and Lakers (Saturday).
In a gimme game in Charlotte, the Knicks got their first glimpse without Randle, who suffered a dislocated shoulder on Saturday. It’s unclear when he’ll return despite encouraging signs that the power forward will avoid season-ending surgery.
Anunoby was also a late scratch with an inflamed right elbow, prompting the Knicks to start Hart and Precious Achiuwa at the forward spots.
Hart logged 39 minutes and finished with 12 rebounds and seven assists. Achiuwa added nine points in 32 minutes. The Knicks’ bench — led by Miles McBride (11 points) — outscored Charlotte’s, 26-7.
“You’re not replacing Julius with any one player. Same with OG,” Thibodeau said. “So for us, the collection of everybody working together. Everyone is capable of playing great defense. Everyone is capable moving the ball well. Everyone is capable of taking care of the ball and not turning the ball over. If you’re open, shoot it. If you’re not open, make a play for your teammate. And if we do that, we can beat anyone.”
Easy said and done against the Hornets.
