Josh Hart does it all with first back-to-back Knicks triple-double since 1981

New year, same Josh Hart. The do-everything guard was at his best again for the Knicks in Wednesday’s 119-103 win over the Jazz at Madison Square Garden, putting up a triple-double for a second straight game. With his 15 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists, Hart became the first Knick to put up back-to-back triple-doubles since Micheal Ray Richardson in 1981. It was also just the fifth time in franchise history a player has pulled off the accomplishment in consecutive games. The performance was all the more valuable with the Knicks shorthanded, especially at guard. They played their first game of the season without Jalen Brunson, who sat out with calf tightness. And after Miles McBride was originally announced as Brunson’s replacement in the starting lineup, he was scratched due to hamstring tightness suffered during warmups. Hart did his part to make up for it, as he continued his increased role in initiating the offense and bringing the ball up the court. Although veteran guard Cam Payne ended up starting at point guard in place of Brunson — and McBride — Hart helped run the show. With the Knicks down a pair of playmakers, Hart said he opened the game more passive when it came to looking for his own scoring — with added focus on setting up his teammates. Hart has also been in charge of the offense at times in his previous stops with Portland and New Orleans, but has embraced it more with the Knicks now that he’s become one of the main cogs of the offense. “I’ve always done it a little bit [and] the last two or three years I’ve gotten more comfortable with the number of times I’ve done it,’’ Hart said. Asked before Brunson was ruled out if his unavailability would impact Hart’s approach to the game, Hart said, “It doesn’t change mine at all.My approach is always to go out there and make the right play.

Whether guys are in there or not doesn’t matter to me.” He finished in strong fashion, as well, with a thunderous, two...