The New York Knicks need a point guard who can hold down the forth while he is recovering. Tyler Kolek answers the call and with great aplomb as the ex Marquette Golden Eagles point guard makes the most out of this borrowed time.
The Knicks rookie hasn’t been getting minutes this season because of head coach Tom Thibodeau’s signature short rotation. However, with Brunson going down on an ankle sprain, he has to break his own philosophy and look at the bench.
Kolek, drafted 34th overall by the Portland Trailblazers and immediately sent to the Knicks last year, played at least 18 minutes in the last two games, the most he’s had this season. His highest minutes logged was 17 in November against the Washington Wizards.
All he needs is playing time and that’s what he showed in the team’s win against the Wizards and the Dallas Mavericks where he set an NBA record.
According to Basketball Reference, as picked up by Tommy Beer of Knicks Centric, the Golden Eagles alum just became the first player in NBA history to record 8+ assists without a turnover in under 20 minutes.
Per @bball_ref:
Tyler Kolek is the first and only player in NBA history to dish out 8+ assists and not commit a single turnover in less than 20 minutes off the bench in back-to-back games.
— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) March 26, 2025
Tyler Kolek’s borrowed time
Kolek, who was named to the Consensus second-team All-American in his last year with Marquette Golden Eagles, may be small but the minutes he spend on the floor have been huge for the Knicks.
According to Knicks Muse, the team is 5-0 whenever he plays at least 12 minutes per game.
This is why many are campaigning for him to play under a coach that trusts rookies like him.
Good morning, friendly reminder that Tyler Kolek is NBA ready and he would be getting regular minutes under a sane coach pic.twitter.com/nudQISUJsg
— Cynical (@CynicalNYK) March 23, 2025
Right now, all Kolek can do is prove himself to Thibodeau. Brunson will return soon based on update from the coach.
“He’s doing more and more each day. He’s feeling a lot better,” Thibodeau said on Monday. “So really good progress. But day-to-day, basically.”
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