Knicks regain home game they lost due to In-Season Tournament

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Knicks have recouped the home game they lost by advancing in the In-Season Tournament.

The NBA announced Thursday that the Knicks’ scheduled Feb. 26 game at Detroit will be shifted to Madison Square Garden, to even out their schedule at 41 home games and 41 on the road.

The Knicks had played an extra road game at Boston — a 133-122 loss — on Dec. 8 after losing to the Bucks on the road earlier that week in the knockout round of the inaugural NBA Cup.

If the Celtics had defeated the Pacers in the knockout round, the Knicks would have played their extra game against the Pacers at the Garden that week.

While the NBA switching the game makes the schedule more equitable for the Knicks, however, it takes away a home game from the Pistons, who had lost an NBA record 27 consecutive games entering Thursday’s game at Boston.

Detroit now will be forced to play 42 road games and 40 at Little Caesars Arena.

Former starting shooting guard Quentin Grimes nailed his only two shot attempts — both 3-pointers — but he played only 11 minutes off the bench in Wednesday’s loss to the Thunder, matching his low for the season.

“Well, that’s the challenge,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said after the game. “We have good players. It’s easy to sit there and say, ‘Well, this guy should’ve played more.’ And you can certainly make a case for people, because when they’re playing well, that’s a natural question.

“But OK, well, who are you taking out? Because you can’t just keep adding without taking out. And I know it’s not easy but it’s also what’s best for the team. So you’re asking everyone to sacrifice and put the team first. And for the most part, I think our guys have handled that well.”

Grimes was shifted to the second unit on Dec. 8, with Donte DiVincenzo starting the past 10 games entering Friday’s road contest against the Magic.

Grimes has logged just 16.9 minutes per game since his shift to the bench, averaging 6.9 points. He also played 11 minutes against the Lakers on Dec. 18 and 12 on Monday against the Bucks.

The improved Magic (18-12) have dropped five of their last seven following a 16-7 start.

They boast two 20-point scorers in Paulo Banchero (21.2 points per game) and Franz Wagner (20.6).