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As the New York Knicks navigate a rocky start to the season, fans have had plenty to grumble about. Jalen Brunson's uneven play, the offensive struggles of Mikal Bridges and Miles McBride, and a bench that has failed to impress have all been hot topics. Yet amid the gloom, Tyler Kolek's early-season emergence has provided a rare bright spot.
Kolek, a third-year point guard, was thrust into the backup role after Jose Alvarado went down with an ankle injury last week. In his first three games, Kolek showed steady improvement, displaying the passing vision that has always been his hallmark. He kept his teammates involved, balancing aggression with careful ball handling, and the second unit's offense looked sharper and more efficient. His shooting was adequate, and he held his own defensively better than in previous stints. Some fans began to wonder if the backup job was his to lose.
But Friday night's matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers served as a reality check. In a game where the Knicks could have reached .500 against a rival, Kolek turned in his worst performance of the season. His streak of 21 assists without a turnover came to an abrupt end as he coughed up the ball twice in just 13 minutes. He made only one of three field-goal attempts and struggled defensively. It's worth noting that Kolek was far from the only problem—Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, Andre Drummond, and Landry Shamet all had disappointing nights. Kolek still finished as one of only three Knicks with a positive plus-minus, and when paired with Karl-Anthony Towns, the team outscored opponents by 8.7 points per 100 possessions.
Key Analysis
Nevertheless, Friday's game underscored that there is no simple solution to the Knicks' backup point guard dilemma. Alvarado brings defensive tenacity and energy, traits that were on full display during the team's postseason run. However, his shooting can be even more erratic than Kolek's, and while he is a steady initiator, he lacks Kolek's passing and playmaking upside. Both players have clear strengths and weaknesses, and Friday served as a reminder of that.
Kolek has demonstrated considerable growth and should continue to get opportunities to prove himself. Even though recent comments from coach Mike Brown about Alvarado's return timeline have created some uncertainty, Kolek should remain in the rotation to some degree once Alvarado is back. Still, it's becoming increasingly clear that the backup point guard spot is a fluid situation, with both players likely to see time depending on matchups and performance.