The proof is in the data, and the numbers paint a promising picture for the new-look Knicks.
Especially on offense, where the additions of Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges have injected fresh versatility into a Knicks attack now ranking near the league’s best in scoring efficiency. Heading into Monday’s matchup against the Houston Rockets — the third stop in a four-game road trip — the Knicks boasted an offensive rating of 121.6 points per 100 possessions, placing them third in the NBA behind only the reigning champion Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers, who are now led by former Brooklyn Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson.
The Knicks’ only losses entering Monday had come against these top teams: a 24-point opening night defeat to the Celtics and a four-point setback against the Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden. Even so, New York’s net rating stands strong at plus-8.3 points per 100 possessions, fifth in the league behind only the Warriors, Thunder, Cavaliers, and Celtics.
Net rating, of course, is head coach Tom Thibodeau’s favorite statistic, and for good reason: it is a measure of exactly where a team stands on both ends of the floor, and as of Monday, the Knicks weren’t just in the top-five, but they were also 3.5 points better than the sixth-ranked team, the Sacramento Kings.
Defensively, the Knicks are currently in the middle of the pack with a rating of 113.3, ranking 16th in the league. The defensive struggles were expected when the Knicks announced they would be without rim protector and enforcer Mitchell Robinson until January, and then suffered an injury to versatile frontcourt defender Precious Achiuwa. After Towns on the depth chart at center are Jericho Sims and rookie Ariel Hukporti.
This balanced start, however, is an upgrade from last season’s opening stretch.
The 2023-24 Knicks struggled to find their offensive rhythm, starting their first five games with the league’s third-worst offensive rating (103.8 points per 100 possessions) despite ranking second in defense. Their net rating was a modest plus-1.4, placing them 12th through five games.
In stark contrast, this season’s Knicks lead the NBA in three-point percentage (41.7%) and rank second in total field goal percentage (50.3%) while maintaining one of the league’s lowest turnover rates. Despite ranking bottom-five in three-point attempts, their accuracy has powered them to early success.
ROSTER MOVES
As expected from a team managing the second apron’s restrictions, the Knicks have converted Ariel Hukporti’s two-way contract to a standard NBA deal.
The Knicks drafted the 6-11, 246-pound Hukporti with the 58th and final pick of the 2024 NBA Draft, and the German-Togolese center has turned heads with his blend of size, strength, and athleticism in limited minutes. His addition provides much-needed depth at center as New York deals with injuries to both Robinson (ankle surgery) and Achiuwa (hamstring).
The Knicks have also added sharpshooter Matt Ryan, who was drafted first overall in the 2024-25 NBA G-League Draft by the Westchester Knicks. Ryan, a 6-6 forward with a career three-point shooting mark of 41.1%, has played in 63 games across the past four seasons after stints at Notre Dame, Vanderbilt, and Chattanooga.
The additions reflect both roster-building needs and cost efficiency. Hukporti offers a strong option at center while Ryan provides a low-cost perimeter alternative after the Knicks lost Landry Shamet to a dislocated shoulder.
Though high on Shamet, the Knicks remain uncertain about his return timeline.
The Knicks’ roster now stands at 14 players with a maximum of 15 guaranteed contracts plus two players on two-way deals.
