The NBA’s Christmas Day slate tipped off with fireworks at Madison Square Garden, where the New York Knicks pulled off a thrilling 126-124 comeback win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. And while Jalen Brunson did his usual work late, it was second-year guard Tyler Kolek who stole the show - and maybe a few hearts in the process.
Kolek dropped 16 points and dished out nine assists, but it was his fourth-quarter takeover that turned heads. With the Knicks trailing by 17 points early in the final frame, Kolek poured in 11 of his 16 points down the stretch, helping New York storm back for its league-record 26th Christmas Day win. On a national stage, in front of a packed Garden and millions watching at home, Kolek looked like he belonged - and then some.
This wasn’t a one-off performance, either. Kolek has been quietly putting together a strong December.
In the month, he’s averaging 7.7 points, 4.4 assists, and 3.3 rebounds while shooting a scorching 50.7% from the field, 39.3% from deep, and a perfect 100% from the free-throw line. Just days before Christmas, he nearly posted a triple-double - 20 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists - filling in for Brunson in Minnesota.
And that Minnesota game? It might’ve hit a little differently for Timberwolves fans. Because the truth is, Kolek could’ve been theirs.
The Wolves had the 27th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft and chose Terrence Shannon Jr. instead. Kolek went seven spots later at 34.
Of course, Minnesota also traded up to grab Rob Dillingham, which made taking two point guards a long shot. But here we are, just a few months into their rookie seasons, and Kolek has been the most impactful of the bunch.
Let’s break down why.
Kolek’s game is tailor-made for a team like Minnesota - a squad that’s still searching for consistent point guard play behind the aging Mike Conley. What Kolek brings to the table is rare for a young guard: control, vision, and efficiency.
He’s not out there hunting highlights. He’s orchestrating.
Per Cleaning the Glass, Kolek ranks in the 90th percentile in assist percentage (31.6%) and the 98th percentile in assist-to-usage ratio - a stat that shows how effectively he creates for others relative to how often he has the ball. He also owns an elite 3.08 assist-to-turnover ratio.
In short, the guy makes things happen without giving the ball away. That’s gold in today’s NBA.
Watching Kolek run an offense feels a bit like watching a young Mike Conley - not flashy, but incredibly smart and steady. He’s a true floor general, the kind who can settle a team down or push the tempo depending on what the moment calls for.
But Kolek isn’t just a passer. He’s also giving the Knicks something the Timberwolves sorely lack: rim pressure from the perimeter.
He’s shooting 69% at the rim, which ranks 72nd percentile among guards, according to Databallr. He’s not a high-flyer, but he’s slippery, crafty, and fearless - capable of getting into the paint and finishing through contact or setting up teammates with precision.
Now, the outside shot is still a work in progress. Kolek is a career 32% shooter from deep, so he’s not exactly spacing the floor like Steph Curry. But with his current shooting splits and willingness to take the open look, there’s reason to believe he can be a reliable threat from beyond the arc.
Defensively, Kolek brings the kind of grit coaches love. At 6'2", he’s not locking down wings, but he competes hard on the ball and fights through screens.
The Knicks are 10.2 possessions better defensively per 100 when Kolek is on the floor - a testament to his positioning, effort, and instincts. He’s drawn comparisons to T.J.
McConnell, and it’s easy to see why: both are undersized guards who make life tough for opponents with hustle and smarts.
Meanwhile, the Wolves’ rookie backcourt hasn’t found its footing. Shannon, taken ahead of Kolek, has struggled to make an impact, averaging just 4.3 points on sub-40% shooting.
His defensive lapses have been hard to ignore, especially with the team needing more two-way production on the wing. Dillingham, the other rookie guard, is scoring just 3.7 points per game and shooting under 35% from the field.
It’s fair to say Minnesota’s draft night decisions are still in the early stages of evaluation. But it’s also fair to wonder: what if they had taken Kolek at 27 instead of trading up for Dillingham? In an alternate timeline, Kolek could be the one stabilizing the Timberwolves’ second unit, giving them the steady hand they’ve been missing behind Conley.
Instead, he’s doing it in New York - on Christmas Day, no less - and reminding everyone that sometimes, the best point guards don’t need flash to make a splash.
Tyler Kolek isn’t just a feel-good story. He’s a legitimate contributor on a playoff-caliber team. And if he keeps this up, it won’t be long before more teams start asking themselves the same question: how did we let this guy slip through the cracks?