Tyler Kolek, Bronny James, Knicks
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Tyler Kolek of the New York Knicks drives against Bronny James of the Los Angeles Lakers.
The rotation decision wasn’t subtle — and New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown wasn’t trying to hide it.
Instead, Brown explained it.
Mike Brown Explains Why Tyler Kolek Is Out of Rotation
Before Saturday’s dramatic win, Brown laid out why second-year guard Tyler Kolek has been squeezed out of New York’s current rotation — a decision driven less by Kolek’s shortcomings than by the immediate impact of another player.
“Jose’s played, obviously,” Brown said, via The New York Post. “Jose’s played well for us. He’s given us a different look. Tyler’s been awesome, for Year 2. He has a chance to be a good pro, really good pro. He’s just gotta stick with it.
“We gotta keep trying to help him by finding ways for him to get reps. So today was a good opportunity for us to find a way for him to get a rep.”
That “different look” has belonged to Jose Alvarado — and he once again justified Brown’s trust.
Alvarado Delivers — Again
Alvarado was the engine behind the Knicks’ stunning 18-point fourth-quarter comeback against the Houston Rockets, flipping the game’s momentum with relentless ball pressure and fearless pace.
In almost no relief of fourth-quarter action, Alvarado posted five points, three assists and three steals, completely altering the rhythm of the game. He finished with eight points, five steals and four assists, doing the subtle, disruptive things that don’t always show up in headlines — but decide games.
The outing marked the third five-steal performance of Alvarado’s career, and notably, two of those have come in the last 10 days, both with the Knicks.
With Alvarado entrenched, Kolek collected his third CD–DNP in New York’s last five games since the trade-deadline acquisition.
G League Reps, Not Guesswork
While Kolek didn’t see the floor Saturday night, he wasn’t idle.
Earlier in the day, the Knicks sent him to the G League for exactly the reason Brown described — reps.
Kolek responded with his most authoritative performance yet.
Playing for the Westchester Knicks, Kolek dished out a G League career-high 13 assists to go along with 19 points, leading Westchester to a 122–114 win over the Cleveland Charge at Westchester County Center in White Plains, New York.
The night wasn’t flawless.
Kolek struggled early from deep, finishing 2-of-7 from three-point range, but compensated by converting 50 percent of his attempts inside the arc while controlling the offense. He also posted a game-high plus-27, underscoring his influence beyond scoring.
“I played a lot of games,” Kolek said afterward. “I know the ups and downs — you’re gonna make or miss shots. But through my workouts, you stay confident no matter what.”
From Westchester to the Garden — Fast
There was no time to savor it.
With the Knicks tipping off at Madison Square Garden hours later, Kolek knew the turnaround would be immediate.
“Shower up quick, head down there,” he said. “Hopefully, I’ll make it for the tip-off.”
He made it — just not into the rotation.
Knicks Backcourt Hierarchy Redefined
Kolek’s brief G League stint highlighted how sharply New York’s guard rotation has shifted since the trade deadline.
After Miles McBride underwent surgery to repair a core muscle injury — sidelining him until the playoffs — the Knicks acted decisively. They acquired Alvarado from the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for Dalen Terry, two second-round picks, and cash considerations.
Alvarado immediately carved out a role — and in doing so, buried Kolek on the depth chart.
The ripple effects were instant.
Kolek Keeps Perspective
Despite the squeeze, Kolek hasn’t changed his approach.
“There’s always competition in this league,” he told The New York Post last week. “We’re trying to be a championship-level team, so you bring in as much talent as you can.
“I’m going to compete every single day. Everybody on this team is going to compete for minutes.”
Before the roster reshuffle, Kolek had settled into a modest but defined role as a backup traditional table-setter, averaging 5.0 points, 3.1 assists and 1.9 rebounds in 13.7 minutes per game.
“When I get in there,” Kolek said earlier this season, “change the pace. Get guys the ball.”
For now, that role belongs to Alvarado — and Brown has made it clear why.
Kolek’s future remains part of the Knicks’ long-term picture. But as the playoff race tightens, New York is prioritizing urgency over development — even if that means a promising young guard has to wait, work, and prove it again somewhere else before getting his next chance.