After a disappointing end to last year’s promising playoff run, the New York Knicks are entering their 2025-26 campaign hungrier than ever, hoping to end their season by hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy under the bright lights of New York City.

On paper, the majority of last season was nothing short of a success for the Knicks: they finished third in the Eastern Conference with a record 51-31, Captain Jalen Brunson was named Clutch Player of the Year and the team cruised passed the reigning champion Boston Celtics in the second round of the playoffs. To top it all off, the team punched their ticket to the Eastern Conference Finals (ECF) for the first time in a quarter-century. 

It was in this historic ECF appearance, however,  the Knicks’ flaws began to show more than ever. Analysts and fans alike had criticized head coach Tom Thibodeau since his arrival in New York for his unwillingness to use the full depth of New York’s bench, often leaving in starters for over 35 minutes per game.

In fact, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby were all among the top 10 in average MPG league-wide. While Thibodeau’s decisions to leave his starters in for the majority of the contest may have been harmless in the early months of the season, the wear and tear of consistently playing over 36-MPG began to show in May and June for this Knicks team.

Despite making it to the ECF for the first time in many young Knicks fans’ lifetimes, the team fell to the Indiana Pacers in seven games. Put plainly, the Knicks were simply outmatched by Indiana’s fast play style and deep rotation — two things the Knicks couldn’t seem to stop in the later months of the season. 

It was clear that change needed to be made in New York. The team was improving and without a doubt, successful. However, it was clear that there was some sort of wall stopping the Knicks from taking that next step. In a shock to some, the first move they made in the offseason was firing head coach Tom Thibodeau. 

Some fans and analysts felt the move was unnecessary, while others felt this was a crucial first step in New York making a championship run. 

Instead of pursuing another big name in free agency or the trade market, the Knicks and newly hired head coach Mike Brown focused on building depth behind the superstars they already had. 

They passed on aging superstar Kevin Durant, declined a blockbuster trade for Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo and spent time and resources developing their young bench pieces like Tyler Kolek and Ariel Hukporti, who ended up being a day 1 starter for the squad in the absence of Mitchell Robinson and Hart. 

They retained players like Miles “Deuce” McBride and Landry Shamet, who provided a spark coming off the bench in both the regular season and postseason. In addition, they scoured the free agency market; picking up experienced role players such as guard Jordan Clarkson, and forwards Guerschon Yabusele and Trey Jemison III.

After signs of promise in the preseason, it was finally time for tip-off at Madison Square Garden vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers — a team that had notoriously given the Knicks trouble last year. 

Knicks fans watched with a mix of hope and anxiety, questioning if the Mike Brown era would give them a happier ending than the Thibodeau regime. 

For the time being, their prayers have been answered, as they cruised past the Cavs, even without the help of rebounding machines Robinson and Hart. Gone was the top-heavy Jalen Brunson-exclusive playcalling. 

This well-rounded, bench-utilizing Knicks squad was a breath of fresh air for fans at the Garden and in their homes. Kolek provided an immediate spark that Knicks fans were longing for, as his first two possessions of the season were a beautiful assist to Karl-Anthony Towns, and a pure three-point jumper from the wing. Shamet and McBride picked up where they left off, combining for 26 points while each shooting 66% from beyond the arc.

Last year, the Knicks averaged 21.7 bench points per game, dead last in the NBA. In their first game under Mike Brown, the bench scored 35 points. It may be early to say, but with the Eastern Conference up for grabs, the Knicks have reasserted themselves as a team to watch this year.