Knicks All-Star point guard Jalen Brunson, who is expected to miss another week as he continues to recover from a sprained right ankle, has missed New York’s last eight games as a result of the injury. According to Ryan Dunleavy of The New York Post, one benefit of Brunson’s absence has been extended run for some the club’s younger backcourt options and role players.
“You are not replacing Jalen individually,” head coach Tom Thibodeau said. “It’s impossible. We have to do it collectively with our defense and rebounding and playing together.”
With Brunson’s usual backup Miles McBride a late scratch ahead of Saturday’s Washington clash due to a groin issue, veteran Cameron Payne drew the starter, while rookie Tyler Kolek logged a career-high 18 minutes and handed out seven dimes. Kolek often fed forward Mikal Bridges, who was in the midst of a solid shooting run.
“It was big-time for us having Ty out there finding ’Kal constantly,” Payne said.
There’s more out of New York:
- Kolek’s big night has made him an intriguing possibility for backup minutes behind Brunson going forward. Dexter Henry and Bryan Fonseca of The New York Post wonder if he could wind up being the Knicks’ best reserve option for Brunson sooner rather than later, and what his path to a consistent rotation role might look like.
- Kolek will probably get another shot at major minutes for the Knicks again on Tuesday, as McBride is considered likely to sit out Tuesday’s showdown with Dallas due to his groin injury, per Stefan Bondy of The New York Post (via Twitter). When healthy, McBride has been solid for New York this season. In 59 available bouts, he’s averaging 9.4 points per game on .407/.371/.817 shooting.
- At 44-26 on the year, the Knicks seem to be more or less locked into the Eastern Conference’s No. 3 overall seed. Three clubs are jockeying for the right secure home-court advantage and the No. 4 seed behind them. The 41-29 Pacers are currently in that slot, just one game up on the 40-30 Bucks, and 2.5 games ahead of the 39-32 Pistons. James L. Edwards III of The Athletic evaluates the pluses and minuses of each of those clubs as potential first-round playoff foes for New York, identifying the team that should ultimately be the Knicks’ preferred matchup (Milwaukee).
Would love to see Kolek get more minutes. 14-18 per game would be ideal as a backup to Brunson. Doubt Thibs would ever do it, but would be good for the team overall.
I think Tyler’s going to be a contributor to this team, I think it’s just going to be next year. Unless a wave of injuries happens, we know Thibs isn’t going to give him a lot, if any, minutes in the playoffs.
One would hope that Kolek could get more minutes down the stretch. A) Brunson’s out and probably needs to ramp up slowly, B) Hart needs his minutes cut or needs to take a few games off because his knee injury is killing him and his play is killing the Knicks, C) they’re close to being locked into the 3 seed. 12 games left and they’re up three games on the Pacers.
Of course, Thibs won’t do it.
Pleeeease don’t rush Jalen or Deuce back. Let Payne and Kolek run the show until the last week of the season. And never play Deuce at the 1 again. He is a 2. (Literally a Deuce!)
The Payne/Kolek tag team played well, almost perfect in the 1st half. But it was WSH. DAL and LAC will be harder tests for them.
Of course they will. And if we’re relying on these two come the playoffs that will not be pretty. But for now, I want more.
Payne will be relied upon in the playoffs in his backup PG role. In all likelihood, Kolek isn’t ready for playoff minutes. But he is on pace to at least compete for the backup PG minutes next year, and playing meaninful minutes in meaningful games this year helps him in that regard.
Kolek is a player who should of got more mins. Unfortunately with working in a new bench. Thibs wasn’t going to do it. He’s played plenty in G-league. At this point its kind of late.
Kolek has learned plenty from watching Brunson. Very similar gm a better ast guy imo. With McBride and Payne still finding their way. He just got the short end of the stick. McBride is too good defensively. That will always hold Kokek back. Kolek and Mitch are trade assets to me. Couldn’t happen this year cause of Mitch injuries. I don’t see them on team next year. Kolek has potential to be a starter. A solid PG with a shot. He has value.
Knicks bench needs an upgrade. This is how you fix it. Hukporti is ready to backup KAT. Kolek needs work defensively. He needs to improve there.
I don’t see the Kolek/Brunson comparison Al. Kolek is a pass first PG who plays pretty good D. Brunson is a scoring PG who is also a passer. I don’t disagree with you that Tyler will become a contributor, but he’s not a Brunson type.
Kolek right now is pass first because he’s trying to play the system. His shot though from the three is what gets him his credentials and creativity as a PG/passer. But Al is right, defense isn’t his thing (not for a lack of trying) and will keep him on the bench as long as Thibs is coach.
I say cause. They are both small. Lefties and play at same tempo. Both can shoot and use change of speed on offense. He has learned from watching Jalen. Defensively they are the same. Brunson better right now. McBride gives them change of pace. He is great defensively.
I just don’t see him getting mins here. Not with Brunson and McBride ahead of him. Miles is still growing as a player. Its why I say he’s a trade asset. I like him a lot. Knicks are ready to compete. They need a real bench today. They have to fix it for next year. Hate to lose him. But we got no choice.