Kristaps Porzingis scores 29 points to lift Knicks past Hornets

Kristaps Porzingis had just snared an offensive board that gave him the first 20-point, 10-rebound game of his career. By the time the play had ended, he achieved another first.

After the 7-3 rookie put back the rebound and was fouled, a loud chant of "POR-ZING-IS'' filled Madison Square Garden. The fans chanted his name again when he went to the foul line in the final seconds to help seal the 102-94 victory over the Hornets.

Porzingis has come a long way since being booed when the Knicks took him fourth overall in the draft. He shot 10-for-17 and had a career-high 29 points and 11 rebounds Tuesday night.

The 20-year-old Latvian certainly looks like he can be a cornerstone player, and he was serenaded with "M-V-P'' chants late in the game. He's quickly challenging Carmelo Anthony as the most popular Knick.

"It felt great,'' Porzingis said. "But I can't really be like, 'I made it right now.' It's just one game. Now, I want to keep playing at this level. It'll be hard obviously. But it definitely feels good to have a good game.''

Porzingis is the youngest Knick to have at least 25 points and 10 rebounds. He also helped the Knicks improve to 6-6. Last season, they didn't win for the sixth time until Jan. 19 -- their 42nd game.

But his breakout performance didn't let him pass on his rookie responsibilities. Afterward, Porzingis had to make sure the veterans had towels.

"He had a big game, but you got to get them towels, man,'' Anthony said. "You can celebrate later.''

But Anthony, who was more of a facilitator Tuesday night, seemed genuinely happy for his young teammate.

"It felt good, man,'' Anthony said. "He picked it up for everybody. Offensively he came through big for us. It felt good to hear his name being chanted in our arena. I'm proud of him.''

Anthony had a strong all-around game -- 18 points, 11 rebounds, five assists -- and played selflessly. He jumped out of bounds to save a shot he blocked and later dove to preserve another possession.

Arron Afflalo added 16 for the Knicks, who held on despite going the final 5:54 without a basket. They went scoreless until Porzingis' two foul shots made it a six-point game with 11.3 seconds to go.

Kemba Walker's 31 led Charlotte (5-6), and former Knick Jeremy Lin had 13.

Porzingis excelled in front of some Garden luminaries -- Willis Reed and Hornets associate head coach Patrick Ewing.

Porzingis hopes to have the success Ewing had. "That's the career I want to have,'' he said. "That would be my dream -- to be as good as he was.''

After a Langston Galloway three gave the Knicks a 98-85 lead with 5:54 to go, they missed nine consecutive shots. They were fortunate that after the Hornets drew within 98-94, they misfired on four straight. Fittingly, Porzingis rebounded the last miss, and his two foul shots with the crowd chanting his name made it 100-94.

"I was shooting those free throws like, 'Don't miss these,' '' he said. "Those were important for the team to seal the win. But hearing the fans cheer like that was amazing.''

By Al Iannazzone

al.iannazzone@newsday.comAl_Iannazzone

Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.