The Knicks got a late begin to their offseason coaching, and head coach Mike Brown’s answer is a heavier dose of preseason minutes.
The common starters performed about 20 minutes apiece in Thursday’s 111-109 loss to the Wizards, as podcast companions Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart led the manner with 13 factors each.
It adopted their participation in Monday’s exhibition — a loss to the 76ers — and it sounds like Brown’s plan is to play his prime gamers in two of the last three preseason video games.
Other groups are more cautious about utilizing their starters in preseason. But Brown said the Knicks are taking part in catch-up after profitable the championship.
“If you think about it, we played a long time last year, and our summer was short. So the guys needed to get away from the game. They needed to go fill their cup, however that may be,” Brown said. “And so our calls for weren’t the same as other groups. Going around the league and speaking to other groups since they’ve come back, some of them have been working since July and August in phrases of coaching camps here and abroad camps and in [Los Angeles] and Miami and voluntary camps and back in the home gymnasium.
“We encouraged our guys to get back at the end of September, but it wasn’t mandatory. We didn’t really push hard for our vets to come back. I told them to fill, whatever they wanted to do, and take some time and when you’re ready to come back, come back.”
Brunson completed 6-for-12 from the area Thursday but missed 5 of his six 3-point makes an attempt. He added three assists.
Hart was environment friendly while attacking the cup and taking pictures 5 of 8.
Jalen Brunson, who scored 13 factors, shoots a layup over Kyshawn George during the first half of the Knicks’ 111-109 preseason loss to the Wizards on Oct. 8, 2026 at Madison Square Garden. Corey Sipkin for New York Post
Mikal Bridges (two factors, 1-for-6 taking pictures, 20 minutes) and Karl-Anthony Towns (eight factors, 2-of-7 taking pictures, three turnovers) struggled.
Andre Drummond highlighted the bench’s play with 9 rebounds in 20 minutes, including 5 offensive.
James Wiseman helped his case for the last roster spot with a strong 9 minutes.
For a second straight yr, all the Knicks handed the conditioning check. While the coach doesn’t know the precise parameters of the check — “if they pass, they’re good to go. That’s all I’m worried about” — Brown has established punishment for failing.
“They will not practice until they pass it,” he said.
So what do they do?
“That’s up to them and the performance team. But I know I will not allow them back in practice until they pass it.”
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