The next probability for the Knicks to seize their first highway win of the season comes against the coach they coveted to fill their emptiness this previous offseason.
And the league’s prime rookie. And a team that has become the face of dysfunction.
There is a lot of purpose for intrigue.
The Knicks carry an 0-4 highway report to Dallas for Wednesday’s conflict against Jason Kidd and Cooper Flagg’s Mavericks.
After the Knicks fired Tom Thibodeau, there was mutual curiosity between them and Kidd, The Post’s Stefan Bondy reported at the time. Kidd’s remaining season as a player was with the Knicks, and as a coach, he led the Mavericks to a Finals look after the 2023-24 season.
But the Mavericks rejected the request by the Knicks to interview Kidd and then reportedly gave him a multiyear contract extension. The Knicks ultimately employed Mike Brown as coach.
Brown and Kidd have began the season on utterly completely different trajectories.
The Knicks, though they lost Monday to the Heat, look harmful at 8-5 under Brown’s free-flowing, 3-point-happy offense alongside with a much-strengthened bench. The potential that his modifications could carry is evident.
Kidd’s Mavericks, meanwhile, are a mess, proudly owning a 4-11 report. They lately fired GM Nico Harrison, who had become persona non grata following his controversial determination to commerce away Luka Doncic to the Lakers last season. Anthony Davis, the principal return in that commerce, stays out with a calf damage. Kyrie Irving is not shut to returning after tearing his ACL in March.
Dallas head coach Jason Kidd and ahead Cooper Flagg look on during the second quarter of the Mavericks’ loss to the Clippers in an NBA Cup sport at the American Airlines Center on Nov. 14, 2025. Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Mavericks home video games had grown poisonous this yr, with followers always chanting “Fire Nico,” which Kidd had called “disrespectful.” That dynamic has cooled since Harrison’s firing.
“They got their point across as fans, but we have to move forward,” Kidd said after the firing. “I understand the healing process for the fans, but these guys are playing hard. Ever since the trade, these guys have given everything.”
Flagg’s early days in the NBA as the youngest player in the league have been a blended bag. Largely thought of a generational prospect and the consensus No. 1 decide in June’s draft, he’s had some early rising pains. He is averaging 15.5 factors and 6.3 rebounds per sport, taking pictures 45.5 % from the area and 29.3 % from 3-point vary.
The Knicks excessive 5 during their loss to the Heat on Nov. 17, 2025. NBAE via Getty Images
He’s performed higher his previous 5 video games, averaging 21.0 factors, 7.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per sport while taking pictures 50.0 % from the area and 33.3 % from deep.
It’s been a consequence of him transitioning away from enjoying as a level guard, where Kidd had used him in order to “make him uncomfortable” and velocity up his improvement. He’s since seemed much more comfy as a wing.
“It’s a lot of pressure and a lot of responsibility that comes with being a point guard,” Flagg said lately. “I don’t know if I was ready to handle that right off the bat. I tried my best and that’s not to say I can’t go back to it and I can’t work on it and get better. I think it’s just worked out lately where it’s been better to have somebody else help and relieve pressure. It doesn’t mean I can’t bring it up and initiate offense.”
And the Knicks are with out their finest wing defender in OG Anunoby. Flagg could current a matchup downside — Mikal Bridges might be too small to guard him and Karl-Anthony Towns might be too sluggish.
Along with the Pacers, the Knicks are one of just two groups winless on the highway across the league.
“They’re all different,” Towns said. “It’s tough, I know for everyone in this locker room, it’s tough. We got competitors, we wanna win. On top of that, we were always known for winning those types of games. So it’s a different feeling when you’re not doing that. Just stay confident. We got a great group of guys, great talent, keep fighting.”
Kidd and Flagg stand in their approach.
Source hyperlink
