Tyler Kolek capitalized on his first NBA start, delivering a career-best performance as the New York Knicks fell 115-104 to the Minnesota Timberwolves last Tuesday night at Target Center.
With Jalen Brunson sidelined, Kolek moved into the starting lineup and logged 31 minutes, the most he has played in an NBA game. He finished with 20 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists, all career highs, while adding three steals and shooting 41 percent from the field. The performance stood out on a night when New York was short-handed.
“Anytime you get an opportunity like that, you try to take advantage of it,” Kolek said. “These guys got confidence in me to go out there and play my game and do what I do.”
- Tyler Kolek posted career highs across the board in his first NBA start, giving the Knicks a clear positive in a road loss.
- Injuries and load management forced New York to rely on unexpected depth, and Kolek showed he can handle a larger role.
- Despite Kolek’s breakout night, defensive struggles and late execution hurt the Knicks against a strong Timberwolves team.
Injuries Force Lineup Changes and Move the Betting Market
Kolek’s expanded role was the result of multiple absences. In addition to Brunson, the Knicks were without Miles McBride, who was sidelined with an ankle injury, and Landry Shamet, who missed the game with a shoulder injury. The depleted backcourt forced head coach Mike Brown to rely heavily on Kolek, a 2024 draft pick who is still considered a rookie due to limited NBA action last season.
The injury situation was directly tied to the betting market before tipoff. Minnesota opened as a home favorite, and the line moved further in the Timberwolves’ direction as player availability became clear. Action Network’s odds tracker showed the Knicks opening at +6.5 before moving to +7.5, with the Timberwolves listed at -276 on the moneyline and the Knicks at +222. The game total was posted at 229.5.
Other sportsbooks showed similar expectations. DraftKings listed Minnesota at -6.5 with a 225.5 total, while BetMGM priced the Timberwolves at -8.5 with a 227.5 over/under. FanDuel research also referenced a Knicks +7.5 line paired with a 229.5 total. Public betting data from Action Network showed 70 percent of spread bets on Minnesota, with 30 percent of the total money backing that side.
Player Props React to Kolek’s Starting Role
Kolek’s first start also drew attention in the player prop market. Covers listed his points line in the 12.5 to 13.5 range, with Caesars offering an over 12.5 and FanDuel posting an under 13.5. His assists prop showed clearer movement. Action Network listed Tyler Kolek over 6.5 assists at -118 as an expert pick, and prop tracking showed the price rose from -128 to -132 at 6.5, signaling increased interest in the over.
Those numbers matched his on-court responsibilities. Kolek handled primary ball-handling duties, rebounded aggressively for a guard, and created scoring opportunities for teammates while taking on more offensive work than usual. KnickMuse later posted his final stat line — 20 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists, and three steals — following his first NBA start.
Coaching Adjustments and Defensive Focus
Although Kolek’s stat line showed strong production, Brown pointed to areas that influenced the outcome. He addressed defensive issues when discussing the rookie’s night and explained a mid-game tactical change as Minnesota gained momentum.
“We wanted to mix it up,” Brown said. “We weren’t getting many stops. [Anthony] Edwards was playing at a high level, and we wanted to try to just give them a different look.”
The Knicks switched to a zone defense in the second quarter, but Minnesota maintained control. Randle led the Timberwolves down the stretch, helping them pull away late and secure the 11-point win.
Flagrant Foul Sequence Adds Third-Quarter Tension
Late in the third quarter, Josh Hart was assessed a Flagrant 1 foul for pushing out at Rudy Gobert’s knee. The play occurred as both players went up for a rebound. Hart appeared to be fouled before being knocked to the floor, then reached toward Gobert’s legs while down. The ruling added tension to a physical stretch of the game as New York attempted to close the gap.
