INDIANAPOLIS — Tyler Kolek sent another message that he’s deserving of a real chance at more minutes and the backup point guard spot.
Following up on his breakthrough in the NBA Cup Final Four, Kolek helped turn the tide with a statement double-double and a strong second quarter in Thursday’s 114-113 Knicks victory over the Pacers.
The scrappy Kolek finished with 16 points and 11 assists, both career highs, in 26 minutes and was sent a message by coach Mike Brown to embrace the defensive mindset of the opposing point guard from Thursday night — Indiana’s TJ McConnell.
“And I’m not comparing all small white guys with each other when I give TJ McConnell as an example. But I say, look, this dude has been in the league for [what feels like] 30 years. And it’s because of his toughness first, especially defensively,” Brown said. “And his ability offensively to understand where his strengths are.
“And I said to Tyler, ‘If there’s anybody in this league you need to take a look at, it’s him. Because you have a superpower offensively — you can score. You have a second superpower — you can pass. You have some quickness too. You have a good feel. But defensively, you got to develop a superpower for your size. And you got good feet. Now it’s about using those and being physically tough every single possession,’ which is what he’s been doing.”
Kolek, among the heroes of Tuesday’s NBA Cup final victory over the Spurs, has been getting more opportunities lately with the injuries to Miles McBride and Landry Shamet.
“The work always pays off, and it’s undefeated,” Kolek said. “What you put in, you’re going to get out. I firmly believe in that. I put in a lot of time.”
McBride is getting closer to returning.
He’s doing on-court basketball activities and is considered day to day with an ankle sprain, according to the Knicks.
He has yet to participate in a practice since the injury, but the team also hasn’t practiced or held a shootaround since Monday.
McBride suffered the sprain Dec. 7 against the Magic, when he drove to the bucket and came up limping after landing on Desmond Bane’s foot.
He’s missed just three games in the subsequent 11 days, however, because the schedule was spread out during the NBA Cup.
In an encouraging sign, McBride traveled with the Knicks to Vegas and was spotted again Thursday without a limp or a walking boot.
Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns were named to the NBA Cup’s All-Tournament team Thursday, as voted by the media.
The three other members were OKC’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, San Antonio’s De’Aaron Fox and the Lakers’ Luka Doncic.
Brunson was the tournament MVP after the Knicks captured the title, joining previous MVPs LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
