The Knicks’ backup point guard job changed hands again Wednesday night, with Tyler Kolek taking over for Jalen Brunson ahead of Jose Alvarado during a 135-105 blowout of the Chicago Bulls at Madison Square Garden.
Kolek entered during the second quarter and played six minutes as New York’s lead grew from 22 points to 29. He stayed on the floor in the third quarter as well, while Alvarado didn’t see action until garbage time in the fourth.
The shift comes after Kolek had filled in capably during a four-game stretch when Alvarado was sidelined with a sprained ankle. Even so, coach Mike Brown had said before Alvarado’s return Monday against the Brooklyn Nets that Alvarado would keep his backup role and not lose minutes simply for having been hurt.
Against Chicago, though, Brown went back to Kolek.
“I said this before, every position coming off the bench is a competition, all the time,” Brown said. “Nobody’s minutes are set in stone. … Jose had the first opportunity in our last game. And then I gave Tyler an opportunity in the second half [against the Nets] and Tyler played well. So I’m gonna go with Tyler. And if I think I need to make a change because Tyler’s not getting it done in my eyes, then I’ll go back to Jose.”
Kolek finished the game without attempting a shot but recorded five assists and no turnovers. Alvarado missed all four of his shot attempts and committed two turnovers.
“Both those guys helped us win at a high level [last year],” Brown said. “Tyler helped us win the NBA Cup against San Antonio in Vegas. And Jose helped us win the Finals. So either one of those guys, we feel, can help us in a lot of good ways at any time so they just have to both stay ready.”
Knecht makes his Knicks debut
The lopsided score also gave coach Brown room to debut Dalton Knecht. With Josh Hart out due to right ankle soreness, Knecht was called up from the Westchester Knicks and logged 10 points and seven rebounds in 16 minutes against Chicago. A second-quarter putback dunk and a third-quarter chase-down block each drew loud cheers from the Garden crowd.
“He’s a scorer. He’s not just a shooter. A lot of people think he’s a shooter because he’s white,” Brown joked. “I said it for you, I hope I don’t get in trouble. He can go get it.”
Knecht had been playing in the G League since signing a two-way deal with the Knicks last month.
As for Hart, who also missed the team’s preseason finale against the Toronto Raptors with the same ankle issue and dealt with it last season too, Brown said he is “not concerned” about the outlook.
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