The New York Knicks didn’t just bring in Mike Brown to shake things up - they brought him in to elevate the ceiling. And through the first 19 games of his debut season at the helm, that’s exactly what’s starting to happen. While it’s still early, there’s no denying the Knicks look like a team with a new offensive identity - and a much higher gear.
Offensive Fireworks Becoming the Norm
Let’s start with the stat that jumps off the page: the Knicks have already posted nine 40-point quarters this season - more than any other team in the league. That’s not just a nice number to throw around in December; that’s a sign of a team that can flip the switch and overwhelm opponents in a hurry.
Now, it’s not like they’re steamrolling every quarter of every game. There have been stretches - including a recent one that led a franchise legend to question the team’s toughness - where things haven’t looked quite as sharp.
But even in games like their recent win over the Raptors, you can see the flashes. When this offense clicks, it really clicks.
This is the version of the Knicks the front office envisioned when they made the coaching change. A team that can light up the scoreboard, stretch defenses, and lean into the offensive strengths of their stars.
Brunson and Towns: A Modern-Day Power Duo
Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns are at the heart of this transformation. They’re not just the Knicks’ top offensive weapons - they’re also the first pair of Knicks to start in the All-Star Game together since Clyde Frazier and Earl “The Pearl” Monroe. That’s elite company, and while their defense has been a topic of discussion, the offensive upside is undeniable.
This duo led New York to its first Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 25 years, and now they’re anchoring an offense that can hang 40 on you in a blink. That kind of firepower sends a message to the rest of the league: this team can score with anyone.
But the big question isn’t can they do it - it’s can they keep doing it?
Shooting Volume, Efficiency, and the Sustainability Question
Through 19 games, the Knicks are letting it fly from deep. They rank fifth in 3-point attempts, fourth in makes, and ninth in percentage - a strong combination of volume and efficiency. That’s not just chucking up shots and hoping for the best; that’s a modern offense built to stretch the floor and punish teams that can’t keep up.
But here’s the thing: hot shooting can come and go. If the Knicks are going to make a real playoff run, they’ll need this level of execution to hold up when the lights are brightest. Because as fun as it is to drop 40 in a quarter against the Raptors on a Sunday night in November, it won’t mean much if they flame out in April or May.
That’s the tightrope they’re walking. If this offensive approach holds up and leads to a deep playoff run - or even a title - it’ll be hailed as a masterstroke.
Teams across the league will try to replicate it. But if the postseason ends in disappointment, the narrative shifts fast.
Fans will question the decision to move on from the coach who brought the team back to relevance, and the 40-point quarters will feel like empty calories.
For Now, Enjoy the Ride
Mike Brown seems to be preaching process over results - and so far, the Knicks are buying in. They’re playing fast, shooting with confidence, and putting together stretches of basketball that feel electric. That’s what this change was about: unlocking a version of the Knicks that could go toe-to-toe with the league’s elite offenses.
Whether it leads to something bigger remains to be seen. But for now, Knicks fans have something they haven’t had in a while: a team that can light it up and make you believe.
And hey - nine 40-point quarters in 19 games? That’s not just hot. That’s dangerous.