New York closed out its preseason by waiving Eubanks, who tore his pectoral muscle, and cutting Bradley and Agbaji, trimming the roster to 18 ahead of the opener. That leaves Drummond and Wiseman as the only cover behind Towns at center, and Drummond's 14-point, 8-rebound finale against Toronto was the clearest answer yet to who holds that spot down.
Three Players Gone
New York waived Eubanks the day after beating Toronto, after he tore his pectoral muscle. Bradley and Agbaji were cut at the same time. All three had been fighting for depth minutes, and all three are done. That leaves 18 players to carry the team into the Oct. 20 opener against the 76ers.
Drummond Makes His Case
Backup minutes behind Towns are open with Bradley gone, and Drummond's preseason finale was the loudest answer on the roster. He went 6-for-7 from the field for 14 points, grabbed 8 rebounds, and finished a plus-5 in 15 minutes off the bench in the 122-120 win over Toronto. Wiseman is the other option at center; for now, Drummond looks like the clearer one.
Preseason Means Nothing
The exhibition slate finished 1-2: a 104-122 loss to Minnesota, a 98-148 blowout in Toronto, and a 122-120 comeback win over the Raptors. None of it counts toward anything. Philadelphia visits the Garden on Oct. 20 for the game that actually opens the season, on NBC and Peacock.
Hart's Ankle Watch
Hart is the only name on the injury list, nursing a right ankle issue with an estimated return date of Oct. 20 -- right in line with the opener. If that holds, Brown gets his full backcourt rotation back for the game that matters most.
The Real Pressure
New York paused talks on Towns' next contract back on Oct. 9, and nothing new on that front has surfaced since. Every center minute behind him now carries more weight: if Drummond and Wiseman hold the position down, the pressure to get a new deal done eases. If they can't, the opener will make that obvious fast.
Who's behind Towns at center now that Bradley is gone?
Drummond and Wiseman are the only centers left on the roster behind Towns, and Drummond's strong preseason finale makes him the early favorite for those minutes.
When do the Knicks play their first regular-season game?
New York opens its regular season at home against Philadelphia on Oct. 20, broadcast on NBC and Peacock.
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