Tyler Kolek Is Growing Up Fast - And Just in Time for the Knicks
When Malcolm Brogdon unexpectedly called it a career before the season tipped off, the Knicks’ bench rotation took a major hit. Brogdon was supposed to be the steadying veteran presence, the guy who could calm the waters when Jalen Brunson sat. Instead, New York was left scrambling-and that scramble led them to second-year guard Tyler Kolek, ready or not.
At first, it looked like "not." Kolek, the former Marquette star and 2024 second-round pick, had a rookie year that showed flashes but also plenty of growing pains.
The speed of the NBA game looked like it was moving just a step too fast, and there were times when the offense sputtered with him at the helm. Knicks fans started eyeing the trade market, wondering how long the team could afford to wait for development.
But here we are, deep into the NBA Cup, and Kolek is starting to flip the script-not with flashy highlights, but with the kind of steady, winning basketball that earns trust from teammates and coaches alike.
Kolek’s Coming-Out Party: NBA Cup Semifinals vs. Orlando
Saturday night’s 132-120 win over the Magic wasn’t just a big win for the Knicks-it was a statement game for Kolek. He didn’t light up the scoreboard (four points, four assists, three rebounds, and a steal), but his impact was undeniable.
A +18 in the plus-minus column tells the real story. He controlled the tempo, kept the offense humming, and played with the kind of defensive edge that helped energize the second unit.
This wasn’t just a rookie trying to survive minutes. This was a young guard running the show.
Karl-Anthony Towns saw it, too. After the game, the All-Star big man called it “one of [Kolek’s] finest games as an NBA player.”
That kind of praise from a franchise cornerstone doesn’t come lightly. It’s a sign that the locker room is noticing the leap.
Quiet Consistency Is the Key
What makes this recent stretch more than just a one-off is that Kolek’s performance against Orlando followed another strong showing in the quarterfinals against Toronto. In just eight minutes, he posted a +13, chipping in a rebound, an assist, and two points.
Nothing eye-popping, but once again-no mistakes. And for a second-year guard trying to earn minutes in a playoff-caliber rotation, that’s gold.
The Knicks aren’t asking Kolek to be a scorer. They’re asking him to be a stabilizer.
Someone who can keep the offense organized, take care of the ball, and bring some defensive grit. That’s exactly what he’s been doing.
He’s showing the same “floor general” instincts that made him a standout at Marquette-reading the game, making the right pass, and playing with poise beyond his years. If he can give the Knicks 15 to 20 minutes of mistake-free basketball a night, it could completely reshape how Mike Brown manages his rotations.
Don’t Fall in Love With the Hot Streak-Yet
Now, here’s where the front office has to walk a fine line. Kolek’s recent surge is encouraging, but it’s still a small sample size.
Development, especially for second-round picks, is rarely a straight line. There will be bumps.
There will be off nights. And in a tightly packed Eastern Conference, the Knicks can’t afford to drop games because they didn’t have a reliable Plan B.
That’s why the team is still expected to explore the trade market for a veteran point guard. It’s not a knock on Kolek-it’s a necessary insurance policy. Because come playoff time, you can never have too many ball handlers who can manage a game.
Jordan Clarkson’s recent struggles have only emphasized the need for more backcourt stability. Right now, Kolek is filling that void. But the Knicks know they need to be prepared for the long haul, and that means keeping all options on the table.
A Blueprint for the Knicks’ Bench-and Their Future
What Kolek has done over the past two games is more than just fill in. He’s given this team a glimpse of what their bench unit could look like when it’s clicking-organized, efficient, and defensively engaged. He’s bought the front office some time, and more importantly, some trust.
If he keeps this up, the Knicks may not need a savior at the trade deadline. They might just need a steady hand to help Kolek along the way.
For now, the Knicks have found something real in their young guard. And in a season that started with uncertainty behind Brunson, that’s a win in itself.