An hour’s drive separates Westchester County Center and Madison Square Garden, maybe more when New Year’s traffic is factored in. And on Jan. 1, the presence of Knicks guard Tyler Kolek echoed across the Hudson River as the rookie made his Westchester Knicks season debut. The G League matinee against Indiana’s Mad Ants saw Kolek contribute 40 stellar minutes for a double-double, including a career-high 36 points as Westchester secured its first win in overtime. Mere hours later the eyes of New York fans were set again on Kolek, this time at MSG, checking into the first quarter of the Knicks – Utah Jazz matchup.
If this is how the year will go for the Knicks and Tyler Kolek, 2025 is set to be a good one for the New York rookie.
Combining with two-way teammate Jacob Toppin for 69 of the team’s 117 points, Tyler Kolek set the second half on fire for the Westchester Knicks, clocking 11 assists, plus five rebounds and two steals to seal Westchester’s win over its Eastern Conference rival. But once the overtime buzzer blared, Kolek made his way downstream to suit up for New York’s evening contest.
Injuries to guards Jalen Brunson and Miles McBride propelled Kolek to the night half of his one-man doubleheader, the latter coming so close to tip-off that the actual starting guard Cam Payne wasn’t listed in the lineup. Without Jalen Brunson, the Knicks produced a solid performance that started with flurried uncertainty and ended in a win, despite missing New York’s leading scorer.
Kolek made it to MSG in time for warmups and continued making a difference with two points and four assists in 12 minutes. Another body on the court, Kolek was, but New York was better with him on the floor (+11) for an entire quarter. As the team secured its ninth win in a row, Kolek got his second of the day.
Tyler Kolek’s availability is 2025’s first G League story
Knicks coaches and players alike have been pleased with Tyler Kolek’s development in this first half of the season. As the 34th pick of the 2024 NBA Draft, the Knicks’ selection of Kolek resulted from a late-stage trade with Portland. New York was able to draft an All-American prospect with four years of college development and a proven record of leading his team toward a postseason hunt.
Coach Tom Thibodeau had glowing words for Kolek’s availability and determination to start 2025, according to Athlon Sports:
“Says a lot about him…I love him; he’s in the gym all the time,” Thibodeau said in reaction to Kolek playing two games in one day.
Plus, Kolek’s four-year NCAA career developed his game in ways the G League and consistent minutes can only expand. His three years at Marquette showcased a hunger to win, to avenge tough losses and creativity in involving his teammates in any play.
The G League Winter Showcase was only the beginning for Tyler Kolek
On Dec. 2, Westchester Knicks became back-to-back G League Winter Showcase champions with a 125-119 win over Sioux Falls Skyforce. Previous to the title win, the New York Knicks affiliate won 9 in a row, including an undefeated tournament run to take the title. Tyler Kolek’s 22 points and 11 assists off the bench led Westchester’s second-half comeback to win the championship game.
Westchester’s full-team tournament effort culminated in a tight championship game, complete with a second half Knicks comeback. Tyler Kolek’s 22 points and 11 assists off the bench awarded him the honor of Winter Showcase MVP. Not bad for a guy assigned to Westchester on a handful of occasions so far in his NBA rookie season. And on the first day of this calendar year, Kolek just proved to us that he can step up when necessary, too. His captain, Jalen Brunson, spoke highly of him to The Athletic in the last week of preseason:
Brunson on Kolek: “He doesn’t get sped up. He’s not a guy trying to prove you wrong. He’s a guy just trying to prove he belongs here.”
— James L. Edwards III (@JLEdwardsIII) October 16, 2024
New York Knicks’ 2025 resolution: Keep Growing and Winning
Minimal pro minutes don’t always mean an inability to contribute. Tyler Kolek fits in swimmingly with his G League teammates and New York Knicks counterparts alike. With a considerably deep lineup and bench players like Toppin and Kolek seeing minimal minutes, the New York barreled its way toward the top of NBA power rankings. Veteran Josh Hart is having the greatest season of his career. Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns have leaned in comfortably to their new roles in New York. Jalen Brunson offers another promising All-Star campaign, and Miles McBride has developed delightfully as a second-team playmaker.
New York’s future is particularly radiant, with a handful on the current roster having extended G League experience. This includes guard Landry Shamet, whose signing brought immediate excitement to Knick fans everywhere. The Knicks and head coach Tom Thibadeau have been pleased by other 2024 draft picks in Pacome Dadiet and Ariel Hukporti, though we may not see Kevin McCullar, Jr. this season due to a knee injury.
It may be unlikely to see T.J. Warren benchside at MSG, although he ranks fifth in G League points per game. Then again, I never thought I’d get the chance to see Tyler Kolek play twice a night like it’s AAU gameday. With the G League Up Next Game during All-Star Weekend (Feb. 16), we may just see some Westchester players taking their talents to San Francisco.
A mix of experience and a slight learning curve, tied together by a natural competitive drive, would lead me to believe that the kids will be alright. And so will we, Knicks fans. If the first day showed us anything, 2025 will be good to New York.
In Westchester County, N.Y. (which is not upstate, by the way) G League & NBA fans and the Knicks faithful alike look forward to a year of Tyler Kolek, and the roster of future New York Knicks who eagerly await a Madison Square Garden summoning.
