Matt Ryan drills first Knicks bucket as he gets to live out New York dream: ‘I’m very lucky’

Matt Ryan took a picture of the home Knicks jersey hanging in his locker Friday afternoon and immediately texted it to his mom, Laurie. 

The Westchester native and Iona Prep product scored three points in five minutes late in a blowout win over the Bucks in his Garden debut for his hometown team.

It was his first appearance since signing a non-guaranteed deal with the Knicks earlier this week. 

Ryan, who did not get off the bench in Wednesday night’s loss in Atlanta, said his mom, grandparents and two siblings would be among those in attendance.

His father Richard passed away in May 2023. 

“Absolutely, it’ll be a fun night,” Ryan told The Post before the game. “I wish my dad could be here, but he’ll be watching from up above. Nobody’s happier that I’m home than my mom. She’s been to everything. My parents drove me to everything all over the place. My mom hasn’t missed a first game of mine anywhere, not in college or the NBA. 

“I always said if I could choose to play for one team, it would be here. I’m from here, so it’s definitely special. It’s unique, it’s a blessing, and I’m very lucky.” 

The 27-year-old Ryan has connected on 41.1 percent of his 3-point attempts over 63 career NBA appearances with four teams.

He’s hoping to add that dimension to the Knicks. 

With veteran guard Cam Payne still sidelined, rookie Tyler Kolek logged a career-high 16 minutes and scored eight points on 3-for-5 shooting, with two made 3-pointers, four rebounds, two assists and one steal. 

Payne missed his third straight game with a hamstring injury, but Tom Thibodeau said the veteran point guard “did more today so I think he’s getting closer.”

Forward Precious Achiuwa (hamstring) remained out and still hasn’t been cleared to practice with the team, Thibodeau added.