It’s not uncommon to see the Knicks starters out of breath.

But not like this. Tuesday night was a startling version.

A frenetic pace was the Knicks’ demise in Game 4 and the reason their backs will be against the Madison Square Garden wall Thursday night with their dream playoff run in jeopardy of ending in Game 5.

The opening half of Game 4 was similar to watching a tennis match as the action caromed back and forth.