Jose Alvarado calls Knicks’ MSG debut and NY homecoming: ‘one for the books’

Jose Alvarado grew up playing the game in Brooklyn and starred at Christ the King HS in Queens.

So when he heard the ovation from the Madison Square Garden crowd when he checked in late in the first quarter in his home debut as a Knick, it hit him.

“It’s different,’’ Alvarado said. “Playing for the Knicks is a huge thing, but I’m literally a kid from the same streets the fans are, and to be part of everything here, it’s a blessing. It’s something I had to get used to and to get it out of the way, let’s get the ball rolling.”

As for the reaction itself, Alvarado said: “It was amazing. Being a kid from the city, for the city to show me love back, it’s one for the books. I really can’t explain it.”

Of course, the result was far from ideal, as the Knicks suffered their worst loss of the season, a 137-134 overtime dud against the awful Pacers. And Alvarado finished with just four points in 18:13, although he did have five assists.

“It’s not the outcome we wanted, but I’ll tell you this, it was a blessing to be out there,’’ Alvarado said. “I can’t wait to continue growing and getting better.”