Knicks Close Preseason Strong Under Mike Brown With Win Over Hornets

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NEW YORK, NY — The New York Knicks wrapped up their preseason with a 113–108 win over the Charlotte Hornets Friday night at Madison Square Garden. During the five games they played during preseason, the Knicks went 4–1 under new head coach Mike Brown, and the new-look offense for New York has been a night-and-day difference from Tom Thibodeau’s style of play and the team fans saw last season.

With the Knicks’ season opener next Wednesday, October 22nd, at home against Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers, Brown has given those in the Big Apple a reason for excitement.

Brown’s new fast-paced offense, even though there will be some growing pains at first, has brought a fresh feel that was missing from this team. If Friday night was a foreshadowing of what’s to come, team captain Jalen Brunson should be in line for another All-Star appearance and another All-NBA season. The 29-year-old finished the night with a team-high 31 points, seven rebounds, and six assists.

Understanding that the NBA season is a long 82-game grind, Brunson spoke on his first preseason under his new head coach, stating, “It was successful. We are learning, getting better. We have a long way to go. He (Brown) is implementing his ways, and we have to follow.”

Someone who may benefit the most from Brown’s free-flowing offense is Brunson’s Villanova teammate, Mikal Bridges. Bridges was the only other starter who played alongside Brunson, as Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and Mitchell Robinson were all in street clothes. Bridges finished with 16 points, seven rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocks.

It’s no secret that Bridges’ first year with the Knicks was a bumpy one. Many fans were frustrated with his play at times last season, questioning the front office’s decision and whether the assets they gave up to acquire the missing “Villanova Boy” were worth it.

This preseason, though, Bridges’ play has answered many—if not all—of his critics. His quick decision-making and confidence on both sides of the ball have been on full display. Brown talked about Bridges after the game, lauding his efforts:

“He’s a first-team All-Defender. It’s evident. There’s no question in my mind about what he does out on the floor. It’s a lot of the little things he does that I hope don’t go unnoticed.”

With both Brunson and Towns being the focal points of the Knicks’ offensive attack, it will be important for Brown to unlock both Bridges and Anunoby to allow Brunson and Towns to operate freely and avoid the inevitable double or triple teams.

If Bridges or Anunoby can step up their offensive games just a bit, this Knicks offense, on paper, has the potential to be one of the most dangerous in the league, and perhaps the best in recent team memory. Brown later went onto speak about the Knicks’ offensive philosophy and what he calls “spray threes.”

“I don’t care who’s open—when it hits your hands—let that thing fly,” he said.

The Knicks shot 18-for-48 from three-point range and were good for a 37.5 percent clip in Friday’s win.

With Monday’s 5:00PM deadline for teams to finalize their 15-man rosters, Knicks insider Ian Begley reported on X, formerly known as Twitter, the team’s latest roster move:

“Knicks will waive Garrison Mathews ahead of Saturday’s 5 p.m. deadline, league sources told SNY. Mathews had a strong preseason with NY and will draw interest around the league from teams looking for shooting. Knicks were impressed by Mathews’ play, but the club is financially restricted by the second apron.”

With the final roster spot up for grabs, it’s expected that Landry Shamet will earn it—especially after the retirement of former Rookie of the Year and expected backup point guard Malcolm Brogdon, who retired after a respected nine-year NBA career.

The question now for the front office and coaching staff is: Who will be the team’s backup point guard? Who will command the “Brunson-and-Towns-less” minutes on the court?

It was evident last season that when Brunson and Towns were on the bench, the Knicks lacked someone to initiate the offense. Coming into the preseason, that role was expected to belong to Brogdon. Now, the question becomes whether Miles McBride or Tyler Kolek have shown enough to run an NBA offense on a team with championship aspirations. Many in the industry believe so, but does the front office agree?

With the addition of former Sixth Man of the Year Jordan Clarkson, it’s expected that he’ll handle most of the ball-handling duties when Brunson is off the floor. Still, even the 11-year veteran will need some time to adjust to his new team.

Another question looming for the front office is how they will handle their seven-footer Robinson. The longest-tenured Knick, Robinson has spent the last seven seasons with the team after being drafted in 2018, the same year the franchise traded its then, face of the franchise, Kristaps Porziņģis, in January of 2019.

It’s expected Robinson will undergo some load management to avoid injuries and ensure he’s healthy for the postseason. Don’t expect him to play in any back-to-back games during the season, unless it’s late in the year.

The Knicks and Cavaliers have faced off 230 times in NBA history, with New York holding a 121–109 edge. With the Eastern Conference wide open due to injuries to both Tyrese Haliburton and Jayson Tatum, next Wednesday’s season opener could serve as an early preview of a potential playoff matchup between the Knicks and Cavs — just as last year’s opener saw New York face a team they eliminated in the second round, the Boston Celtics.

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