On Tuesday, the New York Knicks cruised past the Dallas Mavericks to win 128-113. Naji Marshall scored 38 points, but it wasn't enough as OG Anunoby scored 35 of his own and was supported by 26 from Karl-Anthony Towns and a triple-double from Josh Hart.
It was Hart's eighth triple-double of the season, breaking a single-season franchise record. After the game, he was presented with the game ball but instead opted to give it to Kevin McCullar Jr.
McCullar Jr. was drafted 56th overall after a productive NCAA career spent with Texas Tech and Kansas. He was immediately traded by the Phoenix Suns to the New York Knicks and has spent the entire season in the G League.
In the win over Dallas, he played three minutes and made a single shot in his NBA debut, which Hart thinks is a bigger deal than breaking a record.
"For me, that's an easy decision," said Hart of giving up the game ball. "That record is cool and a blessing, but at the end of the day, that record is gonna get broken at some point. Hopefully later rather than sooner, but it's going to be broken. Getting your first NBA points, no one is going to take that away from you."
In 11 games with the Westchester Knicks, McCullar Jr. has averaged 11.3 points on inefficient shooting. While he is likely not going to be a fixture of Tom Thibodeau's rotations moving forward, he is a solid and versatile defender, although his offensive limitations have held him back.
The Knicks will play the Los Angeles Clippers tonight, and McCullar Jr. could add to his points total.
