The Knicks post-trade-deadline hangover lasted just three quarters.
The Knicks awoke and ferociously rallied in the fourth quarter for a 106-102 victory over the Wizards at the Garden on Thursday, confirming president Leon Rose’s decision to stand pat.
After a horrendous first half, RJ Barrett carried the comeback with 24 points, 10 rebounds and five assists on a night All-Star Julius Randle wasn’t himself and suffered his first injury this season.
The heroes were plentiful and many came off the bench to wipe out a 60-45 halftime deficit and an 11-point hole after three quarters.
Alec Burks (27 points, 15 in the fourth) racked up his fourth 20-point outing. Rookie Immanuel Quickley added 16 points and backup center Taj Gibson provided outstanding grit with seven offensive rebounds, two blocks and 10 points.
“It’s great to understand the front office has confidence in us,’’ said Gibson, whose strong play kept Mitchell Robinson on the bench. “It was a hard-fought win that showed the character of our team.”
The Knicks outscored Washington 39-24 in the final period. The 39 points were the most they’ve scored in the fourth quarter of a win since 2012.
The Knicks were flatter than Kyrie Irving’s Earth in the first half, but their second-half surge from a 17-point deficit moved them over .500 to 23-22.
“We struggled early but we just found a way to win,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said. “That’s what you respect about this group. The resiliency and fight in them and the willingness to work and sacrifice for each other.”
Barrett’s biggest play came on a fast break with 4:32 left when he was tied up by Wizards superstar Bradley Beal but still finished for a three-point play after which he flexed his biceps. The play tied the score at 91.
“He’s a great player and really strong too,’’ Barrett said. “We had great momentum.”
Barrett was just 7 of 22 on the night but scorched the Wizards for nine fourth-quarter points.
“We got great leadership from him,’’ Thibodeau said. “You could see his confidence growing.’’
Randle’s already awry night took another turn for the worse when he injured his right thigh in the third quarter and sat out longer than usual, riding a stationary bike to get loose. But Randle responded in the final two minutes to hit two baseline jumpers to cap the comeback. Randle shot just 5 of 16 for 13 points.
“My shot wasn’t falling,’’ said Randle, who missed 10 straight shots at one juncture. “RJ to step up is huge. And it wasn’t just his scoring.’’
Randle has played all 45 games and claimed he was not going to take a night off Saturday in Milwaukee, though it is not always up to the player.
“I’ll be fine — my body usually recovers quick from stuff like that,’’ said Randle, who leads the league in minutes. “I’m just glad we pushed through, showed toughness and came out with the win.’’
Asked if he’d contemplate a night off to rest his bones, Randle laughed.
“My leg is sore but I’ll be fine,” he said. “I’m not taking the night off. Absolutely not.’’
The Knicks were without their two best defenders in shooting guard Reggie Bullock (ankle) and center Nerlens Noel (shoulder). And they were also without their usual 1-2 punch on offense in Randle and Barrett for the first three quarters.
The Wizards were pounded by 18 points in a wire-to-wire blowout by the Knicks on Tuesday and played the first three quarters Thursday bent on revenge before being blitzed in the final period.
“We knew they’d come out aggressive and we didn’t do a good job containing them,’’ Barrett said. “We weren’t making shots. We had to fight. We knew we could get that win.”
Before the game, Thibodeau was asked about Eastern playoff contenders, Miami, Chicago, Boston and Miami making big trade-deadline upgrades while his team did nothing to speak of.
“I love our team,’’ Thibodeau said. “You’re watching what others are doing. That’s your job. We did what was best for us. That’s what we concern ourselves with.’’
Two hours later, Thibodeau looked beyond frustrated as his club fell behind by 17 points in the first half. And then was redeemed.
