NEW YORK — It was a long night the last time Indiana Pacers rookie guard A.J. Price ventured into Madison Square Garden.

A very long night.

Price was the starting point guard for Connecticut’s 127-117 six-overtime loss to Syracuse in the Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden last March. It was the longest game in Big East history and was one overtime short of the NCAA Division I record.

He was back Wednesday night for the Pacers’ game with the New York Knicks.

“I try not to have any memories because it’s more nightmares than anything,” Price said of the game that took 3 hours, 46 minutes to complete. “It took me the whole next day to recover. I was so wired after that game that I couldn’t sleep. I was up all night thinking about the game.”

Price, who is currently the Pacers third point guard, had 33 points and 10 assists in 61 minutes.

“By the third overtime, me and (Syracuse guard) Jonny Flynn would touch hands and say ‘somebody has to win this game,’ because it seemed like nobody wanted it,” Price said.

Price grew up about an hour outside of New York in Amityville, N.Y. He had a lot of friends and family attend the game, but he purchased only six tickets.

“People had to get their tickets on their own,” he said. “I don’t have the bucks to be shelling out too many tickets.”

Granger was frustrated

Pacers All-Star forward Danny Granger said he didn’t talk to the media after Tuesday’s loss to Denver because he was “frustrated.”

It was only the second time in Granger’s five-year career that he didn’t address the media after a game.

The Pacers offense, which is supposed to be their strong suit, has sputtered this season.

“I wanted to get out there and watch the game and see what’s going on,” he said. “We have a lot of offensive weapons. We’re not using all of our abilities. We’re standing, letting the defense zone up on us. When we do that, it’s easy to guard us. We’re not taking advantage of our strengths.”

Murphy out

As expected, forward Troy Murphy missed Wednesday’s game with a bruised lower back.

Murphy injured his back when he fell hard to the floor while attempting to grab a rebound in the first half against the Nuggets.

The Pacers training staff tried to loosen Murphy’s back earlier in the day, but he said it still bothered him.

“He had trouble putting his shoe on, so I don’t know how long (he’ll be out),” Pacers coach Jim O’Brien said. “That’s a prerequisite of being able to play. You have to wear shoes.”

The Pacers will have four days between games after they play the Washington Wizards on Friday.

The Pacers could get some help in the frontcourt because rookie Tyler Hansbrough may make his season debut against the Wizards.

No love at the charity stripe

Granger shot 88 percent (404-of-460) from the free throw line last season. He’s way off so far this year, shooting just 68.8 percent (22-of-32).

“That’s something,” Granger said. “I’m not too worried, though. I’ll hit a rhythm in a minute.”