Now that’s a Thanksgiving run.
The third-quarter numbers were historic. It was 28-0 in all — more like an NFL run than an NBA one.
Yes, the Knicks scored a team record 28 straight points in a 108-100 victory over the Raptors on Wednesday night after playing one of the most ferocious quarters in franchise history.
Those 12 minutes became a 41-10 third-quarter masterpiece before a Garden crowd that was the season’s loudest.
Tim Hardaway Jr., who has been on a torrid stretch, exploded for a career-high 38 points, grabbing seven rebounds and adding seven assists as the Knicks moved to an improbable 10-7 before Thanksgiving.
“Unbelievable,’’ Kristaps Porzingis said.
The Knicks wanted revenge and got it after losing by 23 in Toronto on Friday. In stunning fashion, they began the third quarter on a 32-3 spree after being down by 11 at halftime. The 31-point differential in the quarter is the most in franchise history, according to Elias Sports Bureau.
“You go on a run and the crowd was into it,’’ Courtney Lee said. “My man Tracy Morgan told me he’s been waiting years for a team like this.”
Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek admitted he got on the team in a big way at halftime.
Lee, who scored 15 points with seven assists and five rebounds, revealed afterward the coach aimed darts mostly at him. Lee said they exchanged words, and then he ignited the third-quarter carnage, with Hardaway joining in.
“We challenged the guys at halftime to get up and get after it,’’ Hornacek said. “The guys were pretty tired after the game, but that’s how you are suppose to be. To beat a team like Toronto, you have to play that way. You have to have great effort, and I thought we had that.’’
“He got on me and I’m supposed to respond,’’ said Lee, who scored 11 of his 15 points in the third. “We exchanged words and went from there.’’
Suddenly, it was as if cranberry sauce had been smeared on the Raptors’ rims after halftime. Toronto didn’t have a field goal until 3:00 left in the period, missing their first 13 shots. They went 1-for-16 in the quarter with five turnovers.
The 28-0 run is the largest verified streak of consecutive points scored in Knicks history — dating back to the 1991-92 season, when the statistic began being recorded — breaking a 2003 record of 24 straight.
“It was our effort getting stops on defense,’’ Porzingis said. “The game completely changed in the third quarter. It was beautiful basketball. You don’t think about [the run]. You keep playing and you look up and you’re up 20 and you’re like, how? We were just down 10. It was unbelievable.’’
The third-quarter binge turned an 11-point halftime deficit into a giant 20-point bulge after the buzzer sounded, 89-69. The Knicks were 15 of 23 with four steals in the third.
It wasn’t even a Porzingis-dominated quarter. Of the 41 points in the third, Porzingis had just two free throws, but contributed plenty of defense. Lee and Hardaway were the fastbreak ignitors, with Enes Kanter helping out big on defense, protecting the rim.
Hardaway had 12 of his career high in the third. Lee also had two steals, three rebounds and two assists in the quarter. Porzingis then came alive with 10 of his 22 points in the final period, when the Raptors made their own charge.
It seemed the Knicks were on fastbreaks and knocking balls away the entire period, with Hardway and Lee a streaking blur and the fans in a permanent frenzy.
“We were getting stops and running,’’ Hardaway said. “Not worrying about who scores the ball. Just doing what we can to get the fans involved and them excited.’’
Kanter made one block on a driving Kyle Lowry that drove the crowd into a frenzy. Toronto coach Dwane Casey called two timeouts that did nothing to quell the Knicks’ momentum. The Knicks received a standing ovation in the final minute of the quarter — the 59-48 halftime deficit a distant memory.
Hardaway and the Knicks next face the Hawks on Friday after the holiday, as the swingman makes his return to Atlanta.
“We’re going to enjoy this one,’’ he said.
Hardaway has been a big boon to this marvelous start after facing much criticism for his $71 million contract. Porzingis joked he was the reason for Hardaway’s explosion.
“He was aggressive, attacking the rim, he was having a great game, doing everything he could,’’ Porzingis said. “I want to say I was drawing so much attention. I’m happy he had such a great game.’’