So much for the widely held belief that Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa and Cameron Boozer are a cut above the rest of this year’s freshman class. Arizona’s Koa Peat made a strong opening statement Monday night that the Big Three should be at least a Big Four.
Knicks, Mike Brown still learning, but showing bits of evidence that new process is working
Jalen Brunson almost never uses excuses.
Let’s say the Knicks lose on the second night of a home-road back-to-back. Some players in this scenario may talk about the challenge of a quick turnaround or a late flight. Not Brunson.
Maybe the Knicks are down one or two rotation players and lose to a quality opponent. It would be completely understandable if a player told the media that injuries to key players impacted the game. Not Brunson.
He’d probably say the Knicks should have played better and could have won the game.
So it was noteworthy last week in Milwaukee when Brunson said the Knicks need some time to get used to one another.
"We're still learning; everything is brand new for us. We’re not gonna use that excuse for a long time. But these first couple weeks, it’s still fresh for us," the Knick captain said last week. "But no matter what, we know what we gotta go out there and do and we gotta do that to the best of our abilities."
If Brunson says the Knicks need some time to get accustomed to a new head coach and new system, you probably should give him the benefit of the doubt.
It’s fair – and logical – to hold the 2025-26 Knicks to high standards. They are coming off of their first conference finals appearance in 25 seasons. They have a unique window this season to make a run to the NBA Finals. Two stars on rival teams (Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton) are out for a significant portion of the season.
So this team should be heavily scrutinized. That’s what happens when you have championship expectations. That’s what happens when you make a coaching change after one of the most successful seasons in the past 30 years.
But in the opening weeks of this season, things are going to look disjointed. Players are getting used to each other and their head coach. The head coach is getting used to his players.
But you can see bits of evidence that the process is working.
Mike Brown himself said he didn’t help the Knicks’ reserves earlier in the season because his substitutions were "all over the map."
In the past two games, Brown feels like he’s found consistency with substitutions and lineups.
Maybe it’s no coincidence that Josh Hart and Jordan Clarkson have had the best games of their seasons in the past two nights.
Brown has talked openly about his own coaching performance. He’s held his players accountable and held himself accountable.
"We just have to keep learning on the fly, starting with me. I’ve got to keep trying to get better quicker," Brown said late last week.
It seems like the players appreciate Brown’s sentiment. Hart was asked after Monday’s game about Brown getting more settled with his substitutions/rotations in the past two games.
"Mike's new. We’re all getting accustomed and acclimated to everybody so you definitely feel that a little bit," he said. "And the great thing about Mike, he’s an amazing person, first and foremost. He always has an open door. If you don't understand something that’s going on, you can always go talk to him. So obviously this is a process. Everybody wants it built now but it won’t be. And we’re all learning, including him."
Brown hasn’t been shy about holding players – including the top players on the roster – accountable when he feels they don’t play well. He’s been vocal about that in the locker room during and after games, challenging players to improve their performance, per people familiar with the matter.
But he's also been upfront about the challenges he and the Knicks face early this season.
“We all have to be better. Start with me. And we will be better,” Brown was saying before Sunday’s game.
The Knicks have looked much better since Brown made that statement. The offense has been strong the last two games. Maybe that continues on Wednesday against Minnesota. Maybe it doesn’t. Either way, this Knicks team – and its new head coach – will take some time to get fully in synch.
"This is a process. We’ve had a lot of guys that have been out, hadn’t practiced and it starts with me," Brown said late Monday. "I said this last game, I gotta help put these guys in a better position. Whether it’s on the floor or whatever, rotation-wise, but I didn’t quite have as good a feel (earlier in the season) because guys had been out. Trying to play this guy, that guy. It starts with me; I have gotten better and they've just gotten more comfortable."
Dent scores 21 points in his UCLA debut, helping the No. 12 Bruins beat Eastern Washington
Senior guard Donovan Dent had 21 points and nine assists in his UCLA debut to lead the No. 12 Bruins to an 80-74 victory over Eastern Washington in a season opener Monday night. Tyler Bilodeau scored 19 points for the Bruins, who opened a 15-point lead midway through the second half before the Eagles of the Big Sky Conference made it close in the final minutes. Dent, a heralded transfer from New Mexico, had a memorable performance in his Southern California homecoming.
No. 8 BYU beats Villanova 71-66 and spoils the debut of new Wildcats coach Kevin Willard
Freshman AJ Dybantsa had 21 points and six rebounds and eighth-ranked BYU defeated Villanova 71-66 Monday night in the Hall of Fame Series and season-opener for both teams. Richie Saunders added 15 points and seven rebounds and Robert Wright III scored 14 points for the Cougars, who spoiled the regular-season debut of new Villanova coach Kevin Willard. The victory extended BYU’s regular-season win streak to nine games, its longest since 2019-20.
Jacob Cofie ignites USC’s second-half surge in season-opening win over Cal Poly
Jacob Cofie finishes with 23 points and 10 rebounds and Ezra Ausar scores 21 points to help power USC men's basketball to a 94-64 victory over Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
Koa Peat scores 30 as No. 13 Arizona upsets No. 3 Florida in season opener
Freshman Koa Peat scored 30 points to lead No. 13 Arizona to a 93-87 win over third-ranked and defending national champion Florida in the Hall of Fame Series on Monday night. Peat was impressive in his college debut, shooting 11 of 18 from the floor and adding seven rebounds and five assists. Ivan Kharchenkov shook off an injury late in the first half that sent him to the locker room and finished with 12 points for the Wildcats.
No. 5 St. John’s handles early hype, routs Quinnipiac in season-opening tuneup for No. 15 Alabama
It took two years for Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino to restore New York City pride and a winning tradition at St. John's. Pitino and the fifth-ranked Red Storm got off to a fast start in their season opener Monday night, overwhelming Quinnipiac from the outset in a 108-74 rout at Carnesecca Arena. “The one thing that stood out from an ultra-positive standpoint was our mentality going into the game," Pitino said.
Scott’s 24 points lead No. 16 Baylor to 58-52 win over No. 7 Duke
Taliah Scott scored 12 of her 24 points in the fourth quarter to lead No. Baylor past No. Duke 58-52 in the women's college basketball season opener in Paris on Monday.
Rooths scores 20 as No. 11 Louisville scorches South Carolina State, 104-45
Khani Rooths scored 20 points to lead No. 11 Louisville to a 104-45 rout of South Carolina State in the season opener for both teams on Monday night. Rooths, a sophomore and one of the few returning players for the Cardinals in coach Pat Kelsey's second season, posted a career-high in points on 8-of-12 shooting and tied his personal best with seven rebounds. Isaac McKneely, a senior guard who transferred from Virginia, scored a dozen of his 17 points in the first half.
Freshman Darryn Peterson impresses with 21 points in 22 minutes in win for No. 19 Kansas
Kansas freshman Darryn Peterson made his presence felt in an abbreviated stint against Green Bay in the teams' season opener. Peterson, a potential No. 1 pick in next summer's NBA draft, scored 21 points in 22 minutes in his debut for the No. 19 Jayhawks in a 94-51 win over Green Bay on Monday night. “That was literally the easiest 21 points in 21 minutes of action,” Green Bay coach Doug Gottlieb said.
Knicks' Karl-Anthony Towns steps up with 'monster' performance in win over Wizards
Karl-Anthony Towns had his strongest performance of the season in Monday's 119-102 win over the Washington Wizards, dropping 33 points with 13 rebounds and five assists over 30 minutes of action.
It's the first time Towns has scored 30-plus points in a game this year and under new head coach Mike Brown, who called the big man a "monster" that's only going to improve as the season continues.
"KAT was a monster," Brown said after the win. "He was a monster on the glass, he was really good defensively. He was a monster inside, outside. He's starting to feel and find his rhythm in what we're trying to do.
"But I'm telling you, there's still a lot of room there to grow. Not just for him, but for us to learn him, starting with me, and us to continue to learning the different parts of we're trying to do offensively. He was a monster."
Matched up against 2024 No. 2 overall pick Alex Sarr, Towns went right to work in the first quarter. He scored or assisted on the Knicks' first 13 points of the game (eight points, two assists) and grabbed six rebounds (four offensive), finishing the first half with 15 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists.
After the game, Towns was asked about his mindset heading into the matchup and what contributed to the noticeable aggressiveness.
"Just win the game," Towns said. "Got us chances tonight to get some good shots up so I just went and capitalized on it."
He had a number of one-on-one matchups with Sarr while the Washington defense focused on guarding Jalen Brunson and knew it was a chance to help lead the team. Towns took eight more shots against the Wizards than he had in any game this season, despite playing the least amount of minutes so far.
"I saw opportunities to get some shots up and be aggressive and I just wanted to take advantage of the opportunity," Towns said. "JB requires a lot of attention obviously, so take what the defense gives us and thought tonight I saw that I had an opportunity to do something."
Towns previous season-high in scoring came in New York's second game of the season against the Boston Celtics when he had 26 points. He followed that performance up with two tough outings in losses to the Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks, scoring only 15 and eight points, respectively.
The Knicks have now won back-to-back games after dropping three straight. Towns, like Brown, acknowledged the team is still a work in progress and believes they will continue to improve in a new system.
"We are all figuring it out," Towns said. "Getting better every day, understanding what our roles are and what we got to do. It's good, we got two wins in a row but we're obviously still a work in progress."
Grant-Foster has 15 to lead No. 21 Gonzaga over Texas Southern 98-43
Tyon Grant-Foster scored 15 points and Graham Ike added 13 points and 11 rebounds, as No. 21 Gonzaga opened the season with a 98-43 victory over Texas Southern 98-43 on Monday night. Braden Huff added 14 points on 6-for-8 shooting to help the Bulldogs win their 22nd consecutive regular-season opener and their 36th straight home opener. Jaylen Wysinger and Duane Posey scored eight points apiece to top the Tigers, who never led after going up 10-8 early on a three-point play by Cameron Patterson.
David Mirkovic has 19 points, 14 rebounds to lead No. 17 Illinois to a 113-55 win over Jackson State
David Mirkovic scored 19 points and grabbed 14 rebounds on Monday night as No. 17 Illinois opened the season with a 113-55 win over Jackson State. Mirkovic, a 6-foot-9 freshman forward from Montenegro, is one of four new international players on the Illinois roster this season. Ben Humrichous and Tomislav Ivisic each had 21 points, Keaton Wagler had 18, and Jake Davis had 13 for Illinois, which was the highest scoring team in the Big Ten last year.
Knicks overcome sluggish start, ride Karl Anthony Towns to emphatic 119-102 win over Wizards
The Knicks came off the NYC Marathon weekend looking a little sluggish on Monday night at Madison Square Garden. The veteran team was slow to react on defense and stagnant on offense, while the youthful Wizards pushed the pace and had the Knicks on their heels, taking a 30-22 lead at the end of the first quarter.
However, much like the NYC Marathon, an NBA game is a grind, and even though the Wizards gave the Knicks everything they could handle for half of the contest, the Knicks adjusted to the younger team’s length and athleticism. The Knicks came out of halftime and clamped down on the Wizards’ transition offense while swinging the ball beautifully to get repeated open looks from beyond the arc. The adjustments led to a 41-24 third-quarter advantage that helped fuel a 119-102 win.
On the night, five Knicks hit multiple three-point shots, led by Karl Anthony Towns, who went 3-of-8 from beyond the arc and led all scorers with 33 points to go along with 13 rebounds, five assists, and two steals. Six other Knicks finished in double figures, with OG Anunoby having 16 points, six rebounds, and five steals and Josh Hart chipping in 12 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists off the bench.
On the other side, Alex Sarr and Kyshawn George continued their breakout seasons for the Wizards in a losing effort. Sarr finished with 19 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, and two steals, while George had 15 points, five rebounds, three steals, and two assists. It wasn’t enough tonight, but it’s enough to give Wizards’ fans plenty of hope for the future.
This was a Karl-Anthony Towns statement game
The Knicks clearly wanted to attack through Towns tonight. The center hit a three off a pick-and-pop for the first points in the game, and the Knicks used him as the hub of the offense in the perimeter pick-and-roll game right from the start. He finished the quarter with eight points and three assists while shooting 2-of-3 from deep, and it seemed like Towns would flourish on the perimeter for much of the game.
However, the team also felt comfortable having Towns try and bully second-year center Alex Sarr in the post. At one point in the second quarter, Towns aggressively backed Sarr down until he was under the basket and then emphatically dunked on the young Wizards center. That’s not a small feat since Sarr is 2nd in the NBA with 2.2 blocks per game and is 4th in contested shots.
Perhaps the added emphasis on Towns creating offense was a response to the big man's slow start to the season in Mike Brown’s offense. Towns came into the game averaging 18.3 points and 2.8 assists, while shooting 35.7% from three and 38% overall. All of those numbers would be essentially the worst marks he’s posted in any season of his career. A 2-for-12 performance three games ago against the Bucks seemed to be the nadir for Towns, and the big man has been slowly crawling back to his previous levels before having arguably his best game of the season tonight.
Getting Towns comfortable in the offense is crucial for the Knicks if they want to ultimately hoist a trophy at the end of the season. They don’t want to be as reliant on Jalen Brunson dominating the offense with the ball in his hands. They want to run a faster scheme that relies on hitting the extra pass and making the defense work. They have to get comfortable doing that while Towns also feels confident that he can get his looks in that type of scheme without having to force isolation post possessions, like he did against Kyle Kuzma in that Bucks game.
On Monday, Towns showed that he’s capable of taking his man off the dribble and capitalizing on a mismatch while also cutting off the ball, hitting spot-up threes, and working within the flow of the larger offense. Now, the Knicks just need to see him do it regularly.
Washington plays fast and loose, and it’s both fun and dangerous
The Wizards are the second youngest team in the NBA, with an average age of 23.78. Only the Brooklyn Nets have a younger roster. Given that, it’s no surprise that this team wants to play fast.
The Wizards came into Monday ranking 2nd in the NBA in pace. The Knicks, who have talked about wanting to play faster, ranked 28th. Early on, the Wizards’ pace and athleticism were a major problem for the Knicks. Washington was too quick and physical defensively when the Knicks tried to use the pick-and-roll to create offensive opportunities. The Wizards were also too athletic and long when the Knicks tried to thread the needle on passes through minuscule passing lanes.
When the Knicks would miss a shot or give the ball away, the Wizards were down the court on the other end in a hurry. In the first quarter, the Wizards had nine assists and were shooting nearly 75% from the field while taking a surprising eight-point lead. Of course, they also had seven turnovers and would ultimately finish the game with 20.
That’s a little bit of the gift and the curse of playing at the speed that the Wizards do, with the lack of experience that they have. There will be stretches of games where their young, physical defenders like George and Bilal Coulibaly frustrate their opponents and allow the offense to get plenty of easy buckets. There will also be stretches where the Wizards play a bit too out of control, throwing wild passes or losing control of the handle in traffic.
It makes for entertaining basketball, and the Wizards may very well iron out the kinks and become a really tough matchup in the second half of the season, but right now they're going through the growing pains.
The Knicks are finally leaning into the NBA’s three-point landscape
When the Knicks made a coaching change and moved on from Tom Thibodeau after making the Eastern Conference Finals last season, it was a clear message that his style of play was not one that the front office believed could win them a title. The change to new head coach Mike Brown has not only brought an increased focus on pace and ball movement but a vast uptick in three-point frequency.
Coming into Monday’s game, the Knicks were 3rd in the NBA with 44.3 three-point attempts per game and led the league in corner three-point attempts per game. That’s a stark change from last year, when the Knicks were 27th in the NBA at 34 attempts per game. Last year, they shot 36.9%, which was 9th-best in the league, and this year they are shooting 36.5%, which is 13th in the league.
However, the looks they are getting are better.
Entering Monday, the Knicks were getting the 4th most open threes per game at 18.8 per game. Open, according to NBA.com, is when there is not a defender within four to six feet. Last year, the Knicks had 15.3 open threes a game and just 14.5 wide-open threes per game, no defender within six feet, second-to-last in the league. This year’s Knicks team came into tonight getting 18.7 wide-open three-point shots per game. However, they were shooting just 36.6% on them, which was 21st in the league.
Things weren’t much different on Monday. In the first quarter, the Knicks took 26 shots, and 13 of them were from beyond the arc. They were just 3-for-13 in the first quarter and trailed 30-22. Midway through the third quarter, they were 9-for-26 from beyond the arc, and it seemed like it would be another rough shooting night from beyond the arc before the shots started to fall, and they wound up hitting 6-of-10 from deep in the quarter.
That quarter alone should be proof that this approach is an exciting one for the Knicks. The quality of shots the team is generating is significantly improved, and they're running a scheme that will allow them to score points in bunches without taxing their best players with slow-developing, dribble-heavy possessions. If those open looks start to fall consistently, as they did in the third quarter, the Knicks are going to be tough for anybody to beat.
Nets lose to Anthony Edwards-less Timberwolves, drop to 0-7
NEW YORK (AP) — Julius Randle had 19 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in his 15th career triple-double, and the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the winless Brooklyn Nets 125-109 on Monday night.
Donte DiVincenzo scored 25 points, Jaden McDaniels finished with 22 and Rudy Gobert added 15 points and 12 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who won their two straight.
Randle had his first triple-double with the Wolves.
Cam Thomas had 25 points and Nic Claxton chipped in 19 for the Nets, who fell to 0-7. The Nets opened the 2009-10 campaign with 18 straight losses while playing in New Jersey, two seasons before their move to Brooklyn.
Playing once again without All-Star guard Anthony Edwards (hamstring), Minnesota led by 12 points with 9:09 to play in the third quarter before the Nets answered with a 24-13 run.
Ziaire Williams hit a 3-pointer from the left wing and was fouled by Randle before his free throw put Brooklyn ahead 88-87 with 1:57 remaining.
The Timberwolves took advantage of four straight missed shots and two turnovers as Randle scored four points for a 91-88 advantage at the end of the period.
Minnesota then opened the fourth quarter with a 6-0 run while the Nets misfired on three consecutive shots to increase the lead to 97-88, and eventually put the game out of reach.
The Timberwolves shot 56 percent from the field and 41 percent from 3-point range while outrebounding Brooklyn 53-40.
Michael Porter Jr. didn’t play for the Nets because of personal reasons.
Up next
Timberwolves: Remain in New York and will play the Knicks on Wednesday.
Nets: Visit the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday.