The New York Knicks haven’t exactly looked like a championship team during the opening stretch of the 2026-27 season. After Wednesday night’s home loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, New York sits at 6-5, a somewhat underwhelming record for a team coming off a championship run.
There is some reason to lose sleep. The Knicks have played one of the league’s easier schedules, and only one of their six wins has come against a team with a winning record. They also have some offensive issues to sort out, especially finishing around the basket and making plays late in the shot clock.
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Still, it’s far too early to panic. New York is coming off a four-game winning streak, and its overall numbers suggest this group might be better than its record indicates. So, let’s get into three takeaways from the Knicks’ 6-5 start for the first handful of games.
Knicks Takeaways From Start of Season
The Offense Still Has Some Big Questions to Answer
New York’s offense got off to a rough start. That’s for sure. They scored just 103.4 points per 100 possessions over their first three games. Things have improved since then, but there are still some areas that need help. Soon.
New York Knicks guard Mikal Bridges (25) drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Peyton Watson (8) during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden. Photo Credit: Brad Penner, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
Mikal Bridges has been one of the biggest concerns. His shooting numbers have been unusually poor, including a career-low 26% from three-point range and just 15% from mid-range. He’s also struggling to finish inside, shooting 47% in the paint.
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Jalen Brunson has had his own problems around the basket. His 41.8% shooting in the paint is well below his normal mark. There is some good progress, though. Over the last four games, Brunson has converted 53.3% of his attempts in the paint.
The Knicks also haven’t been nearly as effective when possessions wind down. Their effective field goal percentage in the final seven seconds of the shot clock has dropped from 51.2% last season to 41.5% this year.
Karl-Anthony Towns Is Giving New York a Reliable Offensive Option
While some of his teammates are searching for their shooting touch, Karl-Anthony Towns has been a bright spot. He’s averaging 20.9 points per game, and his 65.9% true shooting percentage would represent the most efficient season of his career.
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His work around the basket has been particularly impressive. Towns is shooting 65.5% in the paint, the best mark of his career by a healthy margin.
He’s also become an important presence around the high post. Towns is averaging 44.1 touches per 100 possessions in that area, his highest rate in three seasons with the Knicks. Towns has shown he can attack opposing centers off the dribble while also finding teammates cutting toward the basket. With Brunson and Bridges still working through their early struggles, having another dependable option is important.
The Knicks Are Dominating the Glass and Protecting the Paint
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) reacts during the second quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden. Photo Credit: Brad Penner, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
New York hasn’t been perfect defensively, but two areas have helped keep this team competitive: rebounding and interior defense. The Knicks currently rank first in the NBA in offensive rebounding percentage at 37.9% and second in defensive rebounding percentage at 72.6%.
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Towns and Andre Drummond have played important roles in that success. Drummond has helped replace Mitchell Robinson’s rebounding, while Towns continues to put up strong numbers.
There’s another reason not to overreact to the Knicks’ 6-5 record. New York ranks 10th in offensive rating and seventh in defensive rating, making it one of just two Eastern Conference teams in the top 10 on both ends.
The Knicks have stuff to clean up, but they’re hardly falling apart. They’ll get another chance to build momentum during a four-game road trip, beginning Friday with an NBA Cup matchup against the Indiana Pacers. The season is still young, and this team has more than enough time to look like a champion again.
There’s still lots to look forward to with this Knicks team. The season is young, and there’s time for the offense to find its rhythm, for key players to get back on track, and for the team to build on its strengths. New York has some things to figure out, but there’s no reason to count them out just yet.
More NBA News:
Mikal Bridges’ Struggles Put Knicks At Crossroads
Knicks vs. Nets: A Rivalry Centered on Who Runs New York
Takeaways From Knicks’ 19-Point Comeback Win Versus Bulls
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
