Watch CBS News

Knicks Fans Give Phil Jackson Standing Ovation At MSG

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) — Phil Jackson is off to quite a start in New York.

His introduction Tuesday was met with rave reviews, he's already mending the Knicks' oft-chilly relationship with the media and he was on hand Wednesday to watch his team get the best of the 50-win Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden.

And the fans are responding.

They stood for Jackson in the first quarter and were on their feet again in the final minute to watch the Knicks beat the team that knocked them out of the playoffs last year.

Phil Jackson receives standing ovation at MSG by NBAVideos2014 on YouTube

"There's energy in the city. Bringing Phil back is huge for this franchise I think," coach Mike Woodson said after the 92-86 win. "But I've got to give a lot of credit to those guys in the locker room too, because again, we're battling. We've dug a hole and we're trying to dig our way out of the hole."

Carmelo Anthony scored 34 points and New York opened the Jackson era with its season-high seventh straight victory. Amar'e Stoudemire added 21 points and Tyson Chandler grabbed 14 rebounds for the Knicks, just 16-20 at home and four games behind Atlanta for the final East playoff spot.

With Jackson, their new team president, watching from a midcourt seat, the Knicks dominated the first half, then pulled away after the Eastern Conference leaders finally got untracked in the second.

"With a guy like that around it creates a winning mentality, it creates an atmosphere that's pretty golden and we've got to capitalize on that," Stoudemire said.

You May Also Be Interested In These Stories

(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.