The big man, so long the anchor, was leading the cheers, giddy like no one had ever seen him. Patrick Ewing was slapping hands, rubbing heads, hugging bodies. He was pretending to punch teammates in the stomach. He was pulling on jersey shirts.

What the Magic did here Sunday night was improbable, special and might turn around their season.

Down 16 points with 7 minutes, 40 seconds remaining, they kept hustling, disregarding a scoreboard that said quit and snatched a 94-90 victory from the New York Knicks (13-17) with a 24-4 run.

And Ewing, who spent 15 years here and became a superstar while giving Madison Square Garden fans many memories, watched from the bench in pleasure.

?We could have very easily given up,? Ewing said, flashing that sun-bright grin, ?but we fought back.? The Magic (15-17) are alive again. Their eyes and voices said so. They went to a small lineup late in the game, and their hustle won it.

It was point guard Darrell Armstrong running down a streaking Latrell Sprewell and causing him to miss a layup. It was Pat Garrity ? the center in this lineup! ? diving to beat Marcus Camby for a rebound. It was Troy Hudson, on his way to 15 points and eight rebounds, making the Knicks' defenders look as if they had on roller skates. It was Mike Miller, who struggled, hitting a 3-pointer when it mattered most. It was Tracy McGrady, hawking Allan Houston all game and blocking Mark Jackson's shot on the Knicks' last chance.

McGrady missed 16 of 23 field-goal attempts, but he finished with 29 points, a game-high 11 rebounds and four assists. He was a major factor in Houston missing 13 of 19 shots, and he soared over Othella Harrington for a one-handed dunk that injected the Magic with energy.

?I think Tracy, defensively, all night was awesome,? Magic Coach Doc Rivers said. ?We always talk about his dunks, we talk about his great offensive moves. I think he should get more credit for his defense than he does.?

Ewing first entered the game with five minutes, 40 seconds remaining in the first quarter. The fans stood and clapped for him for 30 seconds. Then, while Miller was shooting free throws, they chanted ?Pat-rick Ewing!? over and over.

Ewing had five points and four rebounds in 15 minutes.

?I was a little tentative, maybe I was nervous,? Ewing said. ?I was looking forward to having a big game, but that wasn't the case.?

Ewing led from the bench most of the second half. Early in the fourth quarter, Rivers pulled a struggling Miller from the game. Ewing made Miller sit next to him. For the next few minutes, he talked with the struggling forward. When Rivers called for Miller to return to the game, Ewing yelled, ?Remember what I said, Mike.?

Several minutes later, Miller hit a 3-pointer to cut the Knicks' lead to 88-84. Then, Garrity hit a trey to make it 88-87 with one minute, six seconds left. After a jumper by Houston, McGrady drove on Sprewell, drew a foul, dunked and then made the free throw to tie the game. McGrady hit two free throws with 17 seconds left to give the Magic the lead. His defense on Jackson sealed the victory.

Asked if it was the best victory he has ever had, McGrady said, ?Oh, no doubt.?

?If we believe, look at what we can come up with,? Armstrong said. ?That's one of the best feelings I've ever had. I bet fans in Orlando are buzzing right now.?