The New York Knicks opted to stay put at the trade deadline in terms of making a blockbuster trade, which makes sense given the current core helped lead them to an Eastern Conference Finals appearance the season prior. However, they didn't make zero moves at the deadline.

The one deal they made was acquiring New Orleans Pelicans guard and local to New York, Jose Alvarado. Not the flashiest of pickups, Alvarado is known more for his defensive contributions than what he brings offensively, but he isn't a bad player on that end either. On Wednesday night, he looked like the best player on the court.

Matching up against the Philadelphia 76ers, Alvarado led the way off the bench in 19 minutes, scoring 26 points on eight made three-pointers and having five steals en route to a 138-89 blowout win over Philly. Alvarado also had the best plus-minus at +35, adding three rebounds and four assists to the mix as well.

A type of performance that Alvarado never really had in New Orleans, he is playing off the energy that the fan base has poured into him as he returns to the city he was raised in and played high school basketball in.

After the game, head coach Mike Brown shared some high praise for Alvarado, who is quickly becoming a key piece of this team's rotation in just his third game.

“He was really, really good for us. He ignited us in many different ways," Brown said (according to @JLEdwardsIII via X).

Additionally, Alvarado won the team's unofficial defensive player of the game, as he combined his team-high scoring performance with a stellar outing on the defensive end.

Alvarado wasn't the only Knicks player tallying up defensive stats, as Mitchell Robinson had four blocks off the bench in just 15 minutes, as the Knicks got some stellar bench production from two of their top reserves.

After suffering a brutal loss to the Indiana Pacers, the Knicks bounced back effectively, sending themselves into the All-Star break on a high note. Several members of the team will head out west for All-Star weekend, as the rest of the team awaits their contest next week against the Detroit Pistons.

A team that has their number this season and is one of the most physical teams in the NBA, perhaps Alvarado can help the Knicks overcome the top seed in the East and beat them at Madison Square Garden on February 19th.