Seldom-used vet Burks provides spark in extended role

INDIANAPOLIS — This time, the Knicks’ next man up was practically their last man standing.

With the Knicks missing four rotation regulars following the loss Wednesday night of OG Anunoby to a hamstring injury, veteran guard Alec Burks was taken out of mothballs and sparked the team by netting 12 of his 14 points during a full 12-minute stint in the second quarter of the Knicks’ eventual 111-106 loss to the Pacers in Game 3.

The 13-year NBA veteran, who played 21 minutes overall, had been on the court for less than one minute over the Knicks’ first eight postseason games, a 44-second cameo with Jalen Brunson unavailable in the second quarter of Game 2.

“I think he’s just a true professional,” Donte DiVincenzo

said of Burks after the game. “It doesn’t matter, whenever his number is called, he’s ready to go. And when his number is not called, I think that’s the thing that needs to be talked about the most about him.

“He’s an amazing teammate, an amazing locker room guy. I know personally, when my confidence was up and down last series, he’s the one that kind of picked me up. To see him come in and be productive tonight for us, was huge.”

The 32-year-old Burks, who hadn’t logged more than 11 minutes in any game since playing 12 on March 31 against the Thunder, managed that total before halftime and helped keep the Knicks within 63-58 at intermission.

Burks was surpassed by third-year guard Miles McBride after shooting just 30.7 percent from the floor in 23 appearances following a deadline trade with the Pistons in February.

Bojan Bogdanovic also arrived in that deal, but he is out for the year with a foot injury that required surgery suffered during the opening round against the 76ers. Julius Randle (shoulder surgery) and Mitchell Robinson (left ankle) also are out for the rest of the playoffs.

Burks netted his first points of the 2024 postseason with a pull-up jumper 90 seconds into the second quarter. He also drained both 3-point attempts, an and-1 floater and three free throws in the session.

Burks also replaced a scorching Donte DiVincenzo late in the third, and he added another two from the stripe as the Knicks carried a 90-85 lead into the final period.

“I thought he responded really well. I thought those minutes were really good,” said Tom Thibodeau.