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The Garden Line · Morning

Knicks Cut The Roster Down To Size

Brown and Pate are out inside a day, and Philadelphia comes to the Garden Tuesday.

37.7Brunson's average across the streak
By the Knicks Nightly Desk · Sunday, October 18

New York released Bruce Brown and ran Dink Pate through a sign-and-waive inside the same stretch, settling the roster two days before the regular-season opener. Jalen Brunson has scored 30 or more in three straight preseason games, averaging 37.7 points across that run.

Knicks Nightly artwork
Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

Roster Settled

Bruce Brown left the Knicks on October 18, and Dink Pate's stay lasted exactly one day — signed October 17, gone by October 18. The moves close out a run of cuts that already sent out Eubanks, Agbaji and Bradley, with Bradley claimed by Utah afterward. New York's bill still sits at $227.7 million, above the second apron, with Towns, Anunoby, Brunson and Bridges carrying the four biggest contracts.

Brunson Heating Up

Brunson has hit 30 points in three straight preseason games, averaging 37.7 across the stretch — a number well above his real season average. It's preseason, but the shooting touch is exactly what New York wanted to see walking into Tuesday.

Hart's Timeline

Josh Hart is day-to-day with a right ankle issue, with an estimated return of October 20 — the same night Philadelphia visits for the opener. If he's not full speed, the minutes Brown used to soak up get harder to cover.

Towns Question Lingers

The pause on Towns' extension talks hasn't moved, and nothing in this week's roster churn answers it. Every center decision this month has happened around him, not instead of him.

Bottom Line

The roster is as close to final as it gets before games count. Brunson looks ready, Hart is the swing piece, and the opener will say more than any transaction wire.

When do the Knicks play their regular-season opener?

New York hosts Philadelphia in the regular-season opener on October 20.

Is Josh Hart playing in the opener?

Hart is day-to-day with a right ankle issue, and his estimated return is October 20, the same night as the 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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