Just 11 days ago, the Knicks were teetering on the brink of disaster, having lost the first four games on their West Coast road trip.
Coming off a loss in Los Angeles to the Clippers, the team headed to Utah, a place where they hadn't won since 2005.
All signs pointed to an 0-fer on the trip, but Kurt Thomas, the oldest player in the NBA, wouldn't let it happen. Though the veteran scored six points, his toughness and defensive presence propelled the Knicks.
Having Thomas gut out 27 minutes on a foot that would be diagnosed as broken after the game galvanized the Knicks, who are now enjoying a six-game winning streak entering Friday night's game against the Bobcats at the Garden.
"That's been one of our greatest advantages this season," Knicks forward Steve Novak told The Post while taking part in a promotion at a Chelsea McDonald's. "We have guys who have won championships. People say, 'They're too old. They can't do it anymore,' but the [veterans'] leadership has calmed the team in tough times. They say, 'Look, this is how seasons go.' "
The Knicks hold a 2 1/2-game lead over the Nets in the Atlantic Division, and with just 12 games remaining (11 for the Nets), and appear to be in prime position to capture their first division title since 1994.
"That's been our main goal, one that we set before training camp even started," Novak said.
Though it's just a small sample size, the Knicks appears to be returning to their early season form, when they surged to an 18-5 start.
Novak said he feels the "Next Man Up" mantra has helped the team through their rough patches.
"We've faced adversity, but we've had guys step up," he said. "For me, I think it was big that when we weren't playing our best, we didn't get down. We're getting ready for the playoffs, and that's the greatest sign of who we are."
jdemarzo@nypost.com
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