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Tyler Kolek’s Career Night Lifts Knicks and Bolsters His Case for the Backup Point Guard Role

Mike Brown points to T.J. McConnell as the model for Kolek’s defensive growth.

Overview

  • Kolek posted career highs of 16 points and 11 assists in 26 minutes during New York’s 114-113 win at Indiana.
  • He recorded a team-best +13 plus-minus against the Pacers and is +45 across his last three games including the NBA Cup final.
  • His recent surge followed a standout Cup title game against the Spurs, where he had 14 points and five assists and closed the game.
  • Brown praised Kolek’s scoring and playmaking but urged him to build a defensive edge patterned after McConnell.
  • Injuries to Miles McBride and Landry Shamet expanded Kolek’s minutes, with the Knicks listing McBride day-to-day after resuming on-court work.