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Brunson Set the Standard. The Centers Are Still Scrambling

A 37.7 scoring binge last season sets the bar as camp still sorts out minutes behind Towns.

37.7Points per game, last season
By the Knicks Nightly Desk · Saturday, October 3

Brunson closed last season on a tear, averaging 37.7 points over a three-game, 30-point stretch that still sets the bar for this roster. Camp hasn't matched that certainty: a new report ties Wiseman, Bradley and Drummond to the center spot behind Towns, and the preseason opener at Philadelphia on Oct. 5 arrives with that question unresolved.

Knicks Nightly artwork
Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

The Streak

Last season closed with a reminder of what this team's floor looks like. Jalen Brunson strung together three straight 30-point games and averaged 37.7 points across that stretch. No one else on this roster approaches that number. That's the standard everything else gets measured against.

Center Logjam

Stefan Bondy's report today grouped James Wiseman, Tony Bradley and Andre Drummond together behind Towns at center. That's three bodies competing for backup minutes with no clear order yet. Camp hasn't settled who backs up Towns when the games count. That battle is still open.

Next Up

New York opens the preseason Oct. 5 at Philadelphia on NBA TV. The Wizards and Timberwolves visit the Garden after that, also on NBA TV. Toronto closes the preseason slate Oct. 13. The regular-season opener against the 76ers lands Oct. 20 on NBC and Peacock.

Injury Watch

Drew Eubanks and Mohamed Diawara are both day-to-day, each with an estimated return of Oct. 5. That's the same night as the preseason opener in Philadelphia.

Bottom Line

Brunson's number isn't going anywhere; 37.7 is the bar. The center spot behind Towns still doesn't have an answer, and that answer matters a lot more once the record stops reading 0-0.

Is Jalen Brunson hurt right now?

No. The current injury list is Drew Eubanks and Mohamed Diawara, both day-to-day with an Oct. 5 target return; Brunson isn't on it.

When do the Knicks play their next preseason game?

New York opens the preseason Oct. 5 at Philadelphia on NBA TV, with games against the Wizards, Timberwolves and Raptors still to come before the Oct. 20 regular-season opener.

By the Knicks Nightly Desk, written from the club's data and the reports on file, with every name and number checked against them. How the desks work.

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