Andre Drummond did not score against Cleveland, and the Knicks still got valuable minutes from their backup center. That matters for a team trying to keep its starters effective across a long season.
In 14 minutes of Saturday’s 109-97 win, Drummond collected eight rebounds, including two offensive boards, with two steals and a block. New York outscored Cleveland by 10 while he was on the floor, according to the NBA box score.
Nov 4, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Andre Drummond (0) controls the ball against Chicago Bulls forward Leonard Miller (11) and guard Tre Jones (30) during the third quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Knicks can win minutes without extra scoring
Drummond took only one shot. The value came from ending possessions, giving New York another chance on the glass and covering a stretch without asking Karl-Anthony Towns to play the entire game.
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I would keep a defined rebounding role for Drummond against bigger second units, especially on nights when Towns needs a breather. Extra possessions are useful, and a reserve center does not need a high usage rate to justify his minutes.
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The tradeoff is spacing. A Towns-led lineup can pull a center away from the basket in a way a traditional reserve lineup may not. Coaches can also use smaller groups against opponents who spread the floor and force repeated defensive rotations.
Single-game plus-minus is noisy and does not prove Drummond alone caused the margin. The eight rebounds and the team’s ability to survive those minutes are a more useful starting point for deciding where his role fits.
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