Last season, the New York Knicks’ bench didn’t just struggle-it bottomed out. While teams like the Lakers, Kings, and Nuggets hovered near the league’s basement in bench scoring, the Knicks were digging their own tunnel.
At just 21.7 points per game off the bench, they weren’t just last-they were in a different zip code. In a league where depth often separates contenders from pretenders, New York’s second unit was a glaring liability.
Fast forward to this season, and the narrative is shifting-thanks in large part to a revamped rotation, a few emerging names, and a head coach who's not afraid to shake things up.
Mike Brown’s Impact: A Culture Shift on the Bench
Under Mike Brown, the Knicks’ bench production has climbed to 31.1 points per night. That may not put them among the league’s elite in second-unit scoring, but it’s a significant step forward-and the impact goes well beyond the box score.
Brown, a two-time Coach of the Year, has injected life into a group that was previously an afterthought. He’s given real opportunities to role players like Tyler Kolek, Miles McBride, and Landry Shamet, and they’ve responded by becoming integral parts of the rotation.
The results? Tangible.
The Knicks are no longer leaning solely on their starters to carry the load, and it’s paying off in the win column.
Christmas Day Comeback: Bench Delivers When It Matters Most
If there was a turning point for this Knicks bench, it came on the NBA’s biggest regular-season stage: Christmas Day. Down 17 in the fourth quarter against a tough Cleveland Cavaliers squad, New York stormed back to win 126-124 in what became their largest comeback of the season.
The catalysts? Tyler Kolek and Jordan Clarkson.
Kolek and Clarkson combined for 41 points and nine threes, torching Cleveland’s defense with precision and poise. Clarkson, the seasoned scorer, logged 29 minutes and brought his usual microwave offense.
But it was Kolek-playing 25 minutes and closing the game with the starters-who really turned heads. Brown’s decision to roll with his bench guards in crunch time was a bold move, and it paid off in a big way.
That kind of trust from a head coach isn’t just empowering-it can change the trajectory of a player’s season.
Tyler Kolek: From Deep Reserve to Floor General
Let’s talk about Kolek, because his rise has been one of the Knicks’ most unexpected and important storylines.
Last season, he cracked 20 minutes in a game just twice. This year?
He’s already done it six times, and December has been his breakout month. Averaging around 17 minutes per game, Kolek has started to carve out a real role-and he’s doing it with efficiency and confidence.
Over his last six games, he’s scored 14 or more four times, shooting over 50% from the field and 41.7% from beyond the arc. Add in 6.3 assists per game over that span, and you’ve got a second-unit point guard who’s not just holding the fort-he’s running the show.
And here’s the stat that really jumps off the page: Among players with at least 80 drives as of December 24, Kolek leads the entire NBA in field goal percentage on those drives at 67.6%. Yes, that’s better than Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Better than Nikola Jokic. That’s not a typo-it’s a testament to Kolek’s touch, timing, and decision-making in the paint.
Clarkson Catching Fire
While Kolek’s emergence has added stability, Jordan Clarkson has brought the fireworks. The 33-year-old veteran is shooting over 44% from deep over his last 10 games, including clutch performances in the NBA Cup Final and the Christmas Day thriller.
Clarkson’s always had the green light, but when he’s hitting shots at this rate, he becomes the kind of scorer who can flip a game in just a few possessions. Every team needs a guy like that coming off the bench-someone who can heat up in a hurry and change the energy in the building. Right now, that’s exactly what Clarkson is doing for the Knicks.
Reinforcements Coming
What makes this Knicks bench even more intriguing is that they’re doing all this without being at full strength. Both McBride and Shamet-two of the team’s most reliable perimeter shooters-have been sidelined in recent weeks. And yet, the second unit hasn’t just survived; it’s thrived.
When McBride and Shamet return, the Knicks will suddenly have a deep, versatile bench capable of spacing the floor, pushing the pace, and defending multiple positions. That’s a luxury few teams can claim, and it’s one that could prove pivotal come playoff time.
A New Identity in the Making
The Knicks’ bench isn’t just scoring more-it’s setting a tone. Under Mike Brown’s leadership, the second unit has become a source of energy, creativity, and resilience. The rotations are sharper, the roles are clearer, and the results are speaking for themselves.
For a team that was once defined by its lack of depth, the transformation has been striking. And if this bench continues to trend upward, the Knicks won’t just be a tough out-they’ll be a legitimate threat in the East.
In New York, the lights are always bright. But now, the guys coming off the bench aren’t just ready for the moment-they’re owning it.