Tyler Kolek Goes Viral for ‘Saving Christmas’

The New York Knicks need a holiday savior on NBA Christmas. Especially after Josh Hart left with an injury scare. Tyler Kolek was spreading the holiday cheer – playing late against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Kolek hit open shots that blew out the crowd at Madison Square Garden — including this long-range basket with less than 2:30 left in the fourth.

Kolek dropped 16 points in 25 minutes off the bench – sparking a late rally to win 126-124. But he scored 11 of those points in the fourth to ignite the comeback effort.

Kolek has become the toast of the Knicks’ social media, drawing a number of reactions across social media with some saying he saved Christmas.

Notable reactions for the Knicks, Tyler Kolek Christmas

The second-year player from Marquette got ESPN NBA reporter Tim Bontemps praising him.

“It’s a very tough loss for the Cavs, who looked like they were on the verge of turning the script on their recent struggles. Meanwhile, Tyler Kolek’s experience continues to be an incredible development,” Bontempts posted on social media website X, formerly Twitter.

Jacob Ortiz of Legion Hoops was another who sounded about the performance.

“Where were you when Tyler Kolek saved Christmas,” Ortiz posted.

Sam Kolek responded to become the Knicks’ new Christmas hero. Although he chose to rave about the head coach Mike Brown helping him prepare for the moment.

“He coaches me hard. You want a head coach who’s on top of you — if he’s not, that’s a bigger problem than the other way around,” Kolek said in locker room after the game. “When you’re the point guard, you’re an extension of the coach. If he’s trying to get his message across, he’ll tell you. Maybe he wasn’t thinking of you, but he’s trying to get it across to everyone on the team.”

He included his acceptance of playing in front of Knicks fans on the league’s biggest holiday — saying it “doesn’t get much better than that.”

“I’m playing at The Garden on Christmas Day, it doesn’t get much better than that. I’m grateful to the fans”

– Tyler Kolek in the MSG crowd chanting his name pic.twitter.com/bpJIt9pa3l

— Knicks Videos (@sni_knicks) December 25, 2025

Jalen Brunson ended up turning in a Most Valuable Player performance against the Cavs, dropping 34 points. Jordan Clarkson added 25. But Kolek was once again spreading the holiday cheer inside MSG.