Rockets 120, Knicks 96: Scenes from Mario Hezonja’s momentous triple-double

The box score will show Friday night’s contest as a 120-96 defeat for the New York Knicks, just another blowout in a season that hasn’t lacked for blowouts. Years from now, however, NBA historians will look back upon this game as the birth of Mario Hezonja: Point Guard Extraordinaire.

Pressed into service with no fewer than four New York point guards injured, Hezonja lit up Houston for 16 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists. That’s right, folks: the first triple-double for a Knick since the immortal Jarrett Jack. In a related note, this franchise hasn’t had many decent point guard lately.

Hezonja’s mach to history looked like a long shot at the end of the third quarter, as he still needed one rebound and four assists. But the fourth quarter is when legends are made—legends like Mario Hezonja. The Croatian dynamo grabbed seven boards and dished five dimes in the final quarter, spearheading a stirring rally that turned a 42-point deficit into a much more respectable 26-point loss.

Look at Mario dishing to Mitchell Robinson!

Look at Mario driving the lane like a young Magic Johnson!

Alex will have the recap in a few. God bless you all. God bless Mario Hezonja!