Tyler Kolek unexpectedly performed a uncommon day-night doubleheader to start 2025.
After the rookie guard logged 40 minutes within the afternoon in a G-League sport for the Westchester Knicks, he was pressed into the rotation for the NBA squad resulting from accidents to Jalen Brunson and Miles McBride.
Kolek additionally performed 12 minutes off the bench within the Knicks’ 119-103 win over the Jazz, ending with two factors and 4 assists.
“It’s fun, man, I love playing basketball. Any chance I get, I’m gonna take the opportunity and do it,” Kolek mentioned afterward. “It was good. I had a couple of hours in-between. … Simply tried to do what I may to get better and simply be able to go. it’s extra psychological than something.
“Obviously two guys go out with injuries, so you kind of gotta step in and be ready for anything no matter the circumstances.”
Kolek mentioned he realized that Brunson was prone to miss the sport with calf tightness earlier within the day, however he may not have been utilized by Tom Thibodeau if McBride had been out there.
“Great. He’s a gym rat,” Thibodeau mentioned. “So get in there, make plays. He gave us a good lift. … He’s young. He’s getting better and better. It says a lot about him.”
the Knicks. Jason Szenes for New York Put up
Derrick Rose performed for Thibodeau on three completely different groups, together with an impactful stint with the Knicks from 2021-23.
The 36-year-old Rose can have his quantity retired on Saturday earlier than the Knicks play in Chicago, the place he was a three-time All-Star and the youngest MVP in league historical past underneath Thibodeau’s tutelage with the Bulls.
“His numbers say what he did was incredible. He’s had an unbelievable career,” Thibodeau mentioned. “And he dealt with all the pieces that got here his approach — whether or not he was a 22-year-old MVP or going via accidents or coming again on the finish of his profession and coming off the bench.
“Whatever role — he excelled in his role. And he was the ultimate teammate, and obviously a great player.”
Regardless of Rose’s profession being slowed by a number of main accidents, Thibodeau believes “there’s no question” that the previous level guard deserves a spot within the Corridor of Fame.
Thibodeau mentioned Mitchell Robinson, who hasn’t performed this season following ankle surgical procedure, nonetheless hasn’t been cleared to run at full pace and is “still in the same place but doing well.”
He famous that the Knicks are “anticipating that sometime this month he’ll be cleared to practice.”
