Dalton Knecht, a former Lakers first‑round pick now on a two‑way contract, logged 10 points, seven rebounds and a block in just 16 minutes against Chicago, impressing coach Mike Brown.
“He’s a scorer, not just a shooter… He can go get it,” Brown said to SNY’s Ian Begley. “He can hit from deep, has a solid mid‑range game, can attack the rim, and can distribute.”
Brown added, “Defensively he still has work; tonight he tried to stay within himself and helped us the best way he could. A few lapses need fixing, but his offensive lift, especially late in the first half, was valuable.”
Here’s more on the Knicks:
- A key rotation tweak in the 30‑point rout of the Bulls saw Tyler Kolek replace Jose Alvarado as the backup point guard, playing six minutes in the second quarter and returning off the bench in the third, while Alvarado waited until garbage time. Brown noted that bench minutes are always up for grabs and praised Kolek’s performance. For my money, giving Kolek a chance was smart. He’s on a team‑friendly $2.3 MM deal with a cheap 2027/28 option.
- Has Jalen Brunson earned “face of the NBA” status? The New York Post’s Peter Botte argues the Finals MVP has become a pop‑culture icon, outshining even Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander. Will Brunson become the league’s marquee face next season?