Share and Follow
Jose Alvarado has quickly made a name for himself with the Knicks, showcasing contrasting performances in his initial outings. Notably, his offensive stats shone brighter during the team’s two successful road trips compared to the losses faced at Madison Square Garden.
Yet, Alvarado, a proud Brooklyn native, experienced his first true highlight moment at MSG. He played a pivotal role in orchestrating a dramatic comeback from an 18-point fourth-quarter deficit, leading the Knicks to a thrilling 108-106 win over the Rockets.
Coach Mike Brown leaned on Alvarado for significant minutes, especially during crucial moments when defense was paramount. Alvarado delivered, contributing eight points, notching five steals, and earning a plus-18 rating in just 20 minutes off the bench. His performance resonated with the crowd, sparking spirited “Jose, Jose, Jose” chants reminiscent of José Reyes.
“It’s always gonna [feel] amazing. It’s kind of like a pride thing I got,” Alvarado reflected post-game. “It’s like when I play for my national team [Puerto Rico] or my country, I’m playing for my hometown, and I’m always gonna have to represent on another level, and just compete.”
Alvarado’s deep New York roots and his tenacious style of play have quickly won over the MSG faithful, ever since his acquisition from the Pelicans at the trade deadline.
The undrafted five-year veteran’s best of his first four appearances in a Knicks uniform easily was a 26-point eruption in 19 minutes — on 8-for-13 shooting from 3-point range — in Wednesday’s road win over the 76ers. Alvarado also managed 12 points on 5-for-12 shooting (2-for 6 from deep) in a win in Boston in his team debut.
That represents a sharp contrast for the Christ the King High School product’s first two home games since his acquisition, with just 10 total points on 4-for-13 shooting, including 0-for-8 from beyond the arc. The backup point guard, known as “Grand Theft Alvarado,” also totaled seven steals in the two road victories and just one in two home defeats.
“Just getting a real rhythm,” Alvarado said earlier this week. “Like I’ve said, it just comes with spending time with the guys and being around them and slowly getting it.
“But we’re passing that, we’re in rhythm now so we’ve got a good stretch ahead of us and we’re trying to do something special here.”
Jalen Brunson was on the bench, and the Knicks were down by 16 to start the fourth, but 3-pointers by Landry Shamet, Karl-Anthony Towns and Alvarado plus a putback slam by Mikal Bridges pulled the Knicks within six with about seven minutes to play.
“Sometimes it’s not gonna be shots falling and you gotta do the little things, get steals, and do that,” Alvarado said. “But it’s always gonna be a different type of motor when I put that jersey on. I’m from here, and I gotta represent the best way I can.”
Alvarado then cut the deficit to two with a strip of Kevin Durant and a layup before Brunson eventually tied it with 1:27 remaining.
“[Assistant coach] Rick Brunson was the one that suggested throwing Jose in the game at the time, which was the right call,” Brown said. “We threw Jose in, and he gave us a spark on both ends of the floor.”