Knicks Rally, Fall in Overtime for Second Straight Night

Larry Hughes was the odd-man out in Mike D’Antoni’s nine-man rotation to begin the season. Despite being the oldest and most-experienced player on the roster, he was the only Knick not to touch the floor through the first two games of the season after a difficult preseason where he shot just 4.3 percent from the field in seven games.

But like a true veteran, Hughes was ready when his number was finally called midway through the first quarter and he played a major role in a thrilling Knicks rally during a 141-127 overtime loss to the Sixers in their home opener Saturday night at The Garden. Hughes recorded 18 points, six assists, five rebounds and four steals in 39 minutes.

“I’m pretty comfortable,” Hughes said. “I take the preseason for what it’s worth and I continue to go out and work hard in practice and just before the games getting my mind right for a long season with trying to figure out where I fit in on this team. I wasn’t discouraged by the shots in preseason at all.”

Hughes, who took the minutes that went to rookie Toney Douglas in the first two games, was unaware that he would play from the beginning but says he is always prepared whether he talks to D’Antoni or not before the game. And he clearly earned the trust of his head coach as the game went on, playing through the entire fourth quarter and extra period as the Knicks erased a 23-point deficit.

“It took me three games to understand that (Hughes should play) instead of 20, so that’s good,” D’Antoni said. “He played great. He was the reason that I thought that second group was really good. He settled everybody down, made the right play. He defensive presence is good.”

Playing Hughes for the first time wasn’t the only change D’Antoni’s made to his lineup after the Knicks dropped decisions in Miami and Charlotte earlier in the week. Danilo Gallinari, who has had an incredible return from last season’s back surgery, was added to the starting lineup in favor of Al Harrington to test out different combinations.

Gallinari, making the third start of his short two-year career, made eight 3-pointers and finished with a career-high 30 points. He set his previous high of 22 in the season opener on against the Heat on Wednesday. Harrington, who was the first player off the bench at the 7:38 mark of the first quarter, also reached a career best with 42 points before fouling out early in overtime. He also set the franchise mark for most points for a player off the bench.

“If coach wants me to come off the bench, I’m going to be the best at it,” said Harrington, who went 16 of 22 from the field. “I’m going to be the Sixth Man of the Year.”

Harrington showed his value to the team when he left the game with 3:30 left in overtime with his team up three, their largest lead of the game. The Sixers scored 17 unanswered points from that point on to close out the night and hand the Knicks their third loss.

“When he went out, it kind of took our post presence away,” Hughes said. “We had to settle for some long shots.”

Notes: Hughes was 1-for-23 shooting in the preseason, but went 7-for-11 tonight. … Andre Iguodala led the Sixers with 32 points and 11 rebounds and seven assists. Lou Williams had 20, 10 and seven. … Wilson Chandler scored 11