Jose Alvarado's left-knee issue is expected to clear in time for Thursday's visit from Washington, the first firm return date of the preseason. Behind him, bigger questions remain open: Towns' contract, McBride's own frustration with his, and a center rotation still carrying four names.
Alvarado's Target
Alvarado's left knee has him day-to-day, with an estimated return of Thursday, October 8 — the same night the Wizards visit for New York's second preseason game. Getting him back against Washington would be the first real test of that knee under game conditions.
Last Season's Reminder
Last season, Jalen Brunson strung together three straight 30-point games, averaging 37.7 across them — a reminder of the ceiling this roster can reach once games count again. None of that showed up Monday, when Brunson managed just 12 points in the loss at Philadelphia, but preseason scoring has never been the point.
Center Still Crowded
Four men are still competing for minutes at center: Andre Drummond, James Wiseman, Tony Bradley and Towns. Stefan Bondy grouped the four under one heading on October 2, and nothing since has settled it — the spot remains the most contested on the roster.
Two Different Frustrations
Towns and McBride are both waiting on new money, and they're not waiting the same way. Towns said he isn't expecting an extension soon; McBride called himself a little disappointed in where his own talks stood. Neither situation has moved since.
Bottom Line
The record is 0-0, and the roster is set except for the business still being sorted at center and upstairs. Washington visits Thursday, then Minnesota on October 12 and Toronto twice, October 13 and 15, before the regular-season opener October 20 against the 76ers — the team that just beat them by 23. Alvarado's return is the easy problem to fix; Towns and McBride are not.
When is Jose Alvarado expected back for the Knicks?
Alvarado is day-to-day because of a left knee injury, with an estimated return of October 8, when the Wizards visit for New York's second preseason game.
Have the Knicks resolved Towns' contract situation?
No. Towns has said he isn't expecting an extension soon, and Miles McBride has separately called himself disappointed in his own talks — neither has moved since.
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