The New York Knicks looked flat on Monday night, falling to the Washington Wizards in a preseason matchup that revealed more bad than good. Without their starters, the Knicks were out of sync on both ends of the floor, struggling with rhythm, shot selection, and defensive rotations.
Still, while the game ended in an ugly blowout, it wasn’t without a silver lining — rookie guard Tyler Kolek quietly stole the show.
A rough night for the Knicks
Head coach Mike Brown opted to rest his core players, giving the team’s depth pieces and fringe roster players a longer look. It didn’t go well. The Knicks couldn’t generate consistent offense, shooting poorly from deep and failing to keep up with the Wizards’ pace.
Miles McBride had a tough night, going 4-for-12 from the field and missing seven of his nine three-point attempts. He finished with 11 points but was a team-worst minus-26. Jordan Clarkson wasn’t much better, shooting 4-for-11, and veteran Malcolm Brogdon went just 2-for-7. It was a frustrating night where everything looked forced, and the ball movement that’s been a focus of Brown’s new system never fully materialized.
Kolek gives the Knicks a reason to smile
The lone bright spot was Kolek, who played like a man fighting for his NBA life — because he is. The former second-round pick out of Marquette poured in 20 points on 7-of-13 shooting, knocking down all five of his free throws. He added six assists, four rebounds, and a steal in what was easily his best performance of the preseason.
Kolek’s +10 plus-minus ranked third on the team behind Tosan Evbuomwan and Trey Jemison III, two other players vying for back-end roster spots. His command of the offense stood out immediately. He didn’t try to do too much, stayed within the system, and found a balance between creating for teammates and attacking the rim when opportunities opened up.
After the game, Mike Brown praised the young guard, saying Kolek “gave us great minutes,” a subtle but important acknowledgment from a coach known for rewarding players who earn trust through effort and discipline.
A critical opportunity ahead
For Kolek, these games mean everything. The Knicks are deep at guard, but there’s still room for someone to make noise in the rotation. Brown has built a reputation for giving young players real opportunities when they show the right mix of composure and competitiveness, and Kolek’s performance checked both boxes.
It’s early, but this was exactly the kind of moment a fringe player needs to create belief — in the staff, in teammates, and in himself.
If Kolek can continue to deliver steady performances like Monday’s, he might not just make the roster. He could become one of those surprise contributors who finds a permanent home in New York’s rotation — the kind of underdog story the city loves to get behind.