The Knicks can buck NBA Cup title trends — and appear to be in prime position to do so

The The New York Knicks are the champions of the NBA Cup. And while it’s not exactly an NBA championship, it’s the team’s first championship of any kind since 1973. So don’t be surprised if New York celebrates this win more than it should. However, challenges remain. The first two NBA Cup champions failed to translate their midseason tournament success into NBA championships. So there is still work to do. But unlike the previous two winners, The Knicks are in a great position to succeed where others have failed.

Mike Brown he could be the difference between the Knicks in the title hunt

So much from The Knicks’ success this season has everything to do with head coach Mike Brown. Brown found success with Tom Thibodeau’s former roster that Thibodeau himself couldn’t provide. They score five more points per game. And they do it in more creative ways. Jalen Brunson is playing off the ball more this season. And Michael Bridges has regained his influence.

But much of the team’s success has to do with Brown’s willingness to take risks and admit mistakes. The Knicks coach has confidence in the reserves — some of whom have been inexperienced, like Tyler Kolek — in big minutes. In the NBA Cup championship game, Kolek recorded 14 points, five rebounds and five assists in the final 20 minutes. That’s real confidence, especially when Brown is playing Kolek and Brunson together in the backfield — something Thibodeau would never consider in crunch time given the potential defensive implications.

Brown also learned a lot from Fr Josh Hartwho many thought could be in the running for Sixth Man of the Year. Brown started the season bringing Hart off the bench. He played the first 14 games of the season as a reserve, where he averaged 9.9 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 26.1 minutes per game. Hart’s influence wavered.

Brown reinserted Hart into the starting lineup after the two met, and the results speak for themselves. Hart averaged 16 points, 9.2 rebounds and 5.7 assists in 34.8 minutes per game in 10 games as a starter; that doesn’t include his 11-point, eight-rebound, three-assist performance in the Cup championship. While the move was impressive, what’s encouraging is that Brown was willing to admit that moving Hart to the bench was a mistake. Brown didn’t hesitate to return Hart to the starting lineup. And he didn’t hesitate to take the blame for putting him there in the first place in a recent interaction with the media.

The Knicks’ reserves could take some pressure off the starters

Brown assistant, the Knicks reserves will have to continue their strong play if they hope to win the championship. The Knicks bench has become a major strength. They scored just 21.7 points per game in 2024-25. That’s up to 30.7 points per game in 2025-26.

In particular, New York’s bench took on a heavier workload. Last season, the reserves featured only four players who appeared in 10 or more minutes per game in more than 50 games – roughly 60% of the games. Five reserves have played 10 minutes per game in at least 60% of the team’s games so far this season.

And the cast this season was also flexible. They suffered a loss in Landry Shamet, who remains out with a strained shoulder. And they continue to struggle with Mitchell Robinson’s minutes limitation.

But the Knicks’ backups played with a next-man-up attitude that is both admirable and necessary. And that could pay dividends.

New York will need to improve its game if it hopes to win its first championship in 53 years. That means embracing Brown’s philosophy and relying on their reserves more than they’re used to. But if they can do that and continue to get strong and consistent play from their starters, an NBA Cup championship might not be the only championship they celebrate this season.