Curry’s Return Sparks Knicks to Big Comeback Win

Several weeks of two-a-day workout sessions and a new nutritional program have paid off in a big way for the slimmed-down Eddy Curry, and the Knicks couldn’t be happier to have one of the league’s best low-post scorers back in the lineup.    

Curry, who went down with a calf injury on the opening day of training camp, made his much-anticipated season debut Wednesday night and played a key role as the Knicks rallied from a 19-point deficit for a 110-103 road victory over the Indiana Pacers. He finished with 10 points and four rebounds in 11 minutes off the bench.  

“You forget what a presence he is underneath the basket and you forget what it’s like to have that presence,” Knicks head coach Mike D’Antoni said. “He just gives us another dimension to the offense and also defensively it’s a big body in there they have to contend with.”  

Curry hadn’t played since March 30, but it didn’t take long before he made an impact. The 7-foot center was a force on the inside, getting to the free throw line eight times and scoring on two short hook shots and a layup off an offensive rebound that got the Knicks within 88-80 early in the fourth quarter.  

Curry left the game for good with 8:49 remaining, but the Knicks continued to build off his momentum as they closed out the contest on a 30-15 run to snap a six-game skid and earn their second win of the season.    

“I think the coach did a great job of getting me some touches in places I like the ball,” said Curry, who went 3-for-4 from the field but still felt he could have done even more to help the team. “If I could knock down some free throws, maybe we can pull away a little earlier.”  

For the first time this season, the Knicks’ fast-paced offense slowed down a bit and ran through the post when Curry was on the floor. Curry wasn’t expecting to have plays called for him, but he found the ball on the block several times, forcing the Pacers to double-team him throughout the night.  

“As soon as I get my rhythm, I think it’s going to be an even better game for myself and for the team,” he said.  

Curry was limited to only 12 minutes of action in three games last year as he battled knee problems that ultimately affected his conditioning. After spending the offseason getting in shape, he suffered another setback when he tore a calf muscle during a team scrimmage on the first day of training camp and worked exclusively with the Knicks’ training staff before rejoining the team last week.  

But now Curry appears to be back for good. And the Knicks are 1-0 with him on the active roster.  

“He should get better from here and we’ll learn how to use him a little bit better,” D’Antoni said. “But he’s going to make a difference"

Game Notes: Al Harrington scored 13 of his team-high 26 points in the fourth quarter. ... Larry Hughes added 22 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. .. Wilson Chandler scored all 18 of his points in the first half. .. The Knicks held Indiana to 34 points in the second half after allowing 43 in the second quarter alone. .. On this day in 1972, the Knicks rallied from 19 down to defeat the Bucks in one of the team's most memorable regular-season games.    

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