With injuries mounting, Knicks rookie Tyler Kolek knows he must step up as a point guard

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The Knicks had a tough night Wednesday, and it wasn't just their loss to the Clippers.

Despite dropping yet another game to a team with a record above .500 — they sit at 11-18 this season against such teams — Cam Payne missed the entire second half after spraining his ankle Wednesday night.

It's the latest injury to befell a Knicks point guard after Jalen Brunson's ankle sprain has knocked him out for weeks, and Miles McBride missing his third straight game due to a groin contusion. As was the case in Tuesday's win against the Mavericks, rookie Tyler Kolek was the backup point guard and played well. But the same could not be said against the Clippers.

"He’s capable. Just get in there and get it done," coach Tom Thibodeau said of Kolek's game. "Each game you learn. It tells you what you have to work on. It’s not just individual it’s collective how do we function as a team? We talked about not replacing Jalen individually we have to do it collectively."

Tuesday night, Kolek had one of his best professional performances, dishing nine assists in 19 minutes and change. But against the top-rated Clippers defense, the rookie had a bit more trouble.

In nearly 19 minutes on the court, Kolek did not score a point on 0-for-3 shooting and missed his two free-throw attempts. He did dish seven assists and came down with a rebound but made a turnover and was an overall minus-14 while on the floor. The Marquette product is still learning, and Wednesday's loss was eye-opening for him.

"My mindset is that I’m out there with four other guys who have asserted themselves in the NBA. They’re professionals. I’m just a rookie," Kolek explained. "I can’t come out there and have a mindset of just 'here, let these guys,' I’m the point guard, I still have to be assertive in leading the guys and getting them to where we want to get to. And following what coach needs me to do."

Thibodeau teams are built on defense, something Kolek struggled with in the third quarter when the Clippers turned the game around in their favor. Kolek was on the floor for 12 minutes and was a minus-11 in the frame, unable to defend the…

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Publish date : 2025-03-27 04:27:00

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