Mike Brown highlighted the depth and versatility of his New York Knicks roster after a 113-111 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday at American Airlines Center. Jalen Brunson returned from a two-game absence to score a game-high 28 points, while Landry Shamet hit two crucial 3-pointers in the final 1:02 to seal the victory.
Brown emphasized the importance of bench contributions in sustaining team performance. “The versatility that the bench brings us… Jordan’s different than Landry, Yabu is different than the other guys, Deuce’s different. They all bring different skill sets to the table,” he said. “It gives your guys a rest and keeps them ready for playoff time.”
The coach also spoke about the development of rookie Cooper Flagg, praising his confidence and skill set. “For a young guy, he’s got a chance to be really good… there’s a real belief behind everything he does,” Brown said, noting that Flagg’s physical gifts and skill could allow him to make an early impact.
Brown addressed the team’s strategy with Karl-Anthony Towns, moving him to different spots on offense to create unpredictability. “The longer he’s in it, getting live action, going through it five-on and then watching film, the better he’s going to be,” Brown explained.
Despite early shooting struggles, New York recovered in the second half, improving their three-point efficiency to secure the win. Towns posted a double-double with 18 points and 14 rebounds, while Josh Hart added 16 points and 10 boards off the bench.
Brown also reflected on the physical demands of the modern NBA, noting that spacing out games could help reduce injuries. “If we did play fewer games… it would help because the game is faster and you’re putting a lot of pressure on everybody’s bodies,” he said.
The Knicks snapped a four-game road skid and improved to 1-4 away from Madison Square Garden. New York will visit Orlando on Saturday, while Dallas returns home to host New Orleans on Friday.
