Jose Alvarado, Knicks
Getty
Jose Alvarado #5 of the New York Knicks gestures against the Philadelphia 76ers in the third quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena on February 11, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Veteran guard Jose Alvarado became the first player in NBA history to post a stat line of 26 points, eight threes and five steals off the bench on Wednesday, helping the New York Knicks crush the Philadelphia 76ers, 138-89.
StatMuse
Jose Alvarado off the bench:
26 points 5 steals 8 threes
The first bench player in NBA history to reach those numbers in a game.
KnicksMuse
Jose Alvarado is the first player in NBA History to record the following in a single game:
• 25+ PTS • 8+ Threes • 5+ Steals • Under 30 Minutes
He played 19 minutes.
Real App
Jose Alvarado becomes the first player in NBA HISTORY to record:
25+ PTS 5+ 3PM 5+ STL
in under 20 minutes.
Amazingly, Alavardo reached those numbers in just 19 minutes of action, shooting 8-of-13 from three and 2-of-3 from the free-throw line to post a game-high 26 points (also a season-high). The 27-year-old New York native attempted all 13 of his shots from beyond the arc, once again proving to be a perfect fit in Mike Brown’s system.
Jose Alvarado: A Knicks Hero
In his first three games as a member of the Knicks, Alvarado is averaging 14.0 points, 3.7 assists and 2.3 steals while shooting an impressive 45.5% from three. He’s also a +14 on the floor in the three games, which also includes a loss to the Indiana Pacers.
While nobody is surprised by Alvarado’s defensive hustle, as evidenced by his seven steals in three games, some were concerned about his limited offensive production and whether he could thrive in his role as a sparkplug off the bench. To that end, Alvarado averaged fewer than 7.0 points for the New Orleans Pelicans over 19 games in December and January, while shooting under 35% from three.
Perhaps a change of scenery to his hometown franchise, the Knicks, has reinvigorated Alvarado, who could be the missing piece propelling the team to an NBA Finals run.
After his season-best performance on Wednesday, the Knicks couldn’t stop raving about Jose Alvarado’s instant impact since he joined the team just a week ago.
New Knicks Enforcer?
“He was really, really good for us,” Knicks head coach Mike Brown said of Alvrado, via The Athletic. “He ignited us in many different ways.”
Karl Anthony-Towns, who was admittedly a big fan of Alvarado when he was with the Pelicans, is not at all surprised by his new teammates’ exploits.
“He was that Jose Alvarado you see on TV all the time,” said Towns.
Alvarado, despite his 6-foot frame, has also emerged as an unlikely enforcer for the Knicks through his first three games. On Wednesday, he picked up his first technical foul while trying to protect teammate Mitchell Robinson, who was brought down hard to the ground by Trendon Watford while attempting a dunk in the first quarter. Alvarado took exception to Watford’s dirty play, pushing the Sixers forward away and exchanging several words with him. 76ers coach Nick Nurse also got involved in the argument and was hit with a technical foul.
“He did a hard foul, but I think he did a little extra with the staring,” Alvarado said of the Watford incident, via New York Post.
“I’m just not gonna go for none of that. It was just in the moment. That’s when I’m at my best, I guess, getting a little active. It worked out in my favor.”
Teammate Josh Hart also feels Alvarado brings the sort of defensive tenacity that was soreley lacking on the Knicks before the NBA trade deadline.
“That’s what we need,” Hart said of Alvarado’s mean streak.
“That’s what we want from him. Obviously that toughness, ability to help us get organized, ability to knock down shots. And defensively bring energy, bring physicality, get in the passing lanes, those kinds of things. That’s why he’s here.”