Josh Hart registered his ninth triple-double to make history on Tuesday, helping the New York Knicks to a 128-113 win over the Dallas Mavericks at Madison Square Garden.
Hart had 16 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists, surpassing Walt Frazier for the most triple-doubles in a single season in franchise history. He and Karl-Anthony Towns, who added 26 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists, became the first Knicks teammates to record a triple-double in the same game.
But despite a historic performance, Hart opted to give the game ball to Kevin McCullar Jr. afterward. The rookie debuted with the Knicks in the contest and scored his first career points in the fourth quarter, a four-foot floating bank shot.
The decision to gift him the ball, Hart said, was an easy one.
"That record is cool and a blessing, but at the end of the day, that record is going to get broken at some point," Hart said, via SNY. "Hopefully, later rather than sooner, but it is going to get broken. Getting your first NBA points, no one can take that away from you. It is important that he got the game ball for that."
first nba points for kevin mccullar jr 馃帀 pic.twitter.com/0O5QwjNU8y
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) March 26, 2025
McCullar, signed to a two-way contract, missed summer league and the start of the season due to a knee injury sustained last season at Kansas. He underwent offseason surgery and began training camp by rehabbing with the team medical staff.
The 55th pick was active for the first time this season and had the opportunity to play the last 3 minutes, 9 seconds, with the Knicks up by 24 points. He hit his first basket nearly two minutes later.
"Josh is a good dude," McCullar said of the gesture by Hart. "That is my vet on the team. He has shown me nothing but love since I got here, and I appreciate him doing that."
McCullar was eventually cleared to play and debuted this season with the Westchester Knicks in the G League on Jan. 30. He has made 11 appearances, averaging 11.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.5 steals on 39.6% shooting from the field.
The 24-year-old is coming off of back-to-back triple-double performances with Westchester. He is one of eight players with multiple triple-doubles in the G League this season after reaching that mark March 19-21 with Westchester.
After missing most of the season, McCullar will look to maximize his development and finish his rookie campaign with positive momentum. He was glad to get his first points on Tuesday.
"It felt amazing," McCullar said. "It felt good. As a kid, that is what you dream of doing, so to go out there and finally get in the game and be able to score my first bucket was big."
This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Knicks news: Josh Hart honors Kevin McCullar Jr. after milestone
