Knicks Secure Season-Opening Win Over Cavaliers

Though the outcome may not have been perfect, the changes were apparent.

In their season opener, the Knicks defeated the Cavaliers 119-111 at Madison Square Garden, revealing a notable shift in Jalen Brunson’s offensive role.

Brunson scored 23 points but struggled a bit, making only 5 of 18 shots overall and just 1 of 9 from beyond the arc. It seems that coach Mike Brown aimed to have Brunson play more off the ball this season.

Notably, seven of his nine three-point attempts were catch-and-shoots, marking a personal record for him since joining the Knicks, based on NBA tracking stats.

Looking closer at his shooting, only 10 out of his 18 attempts—roughly 56 percent—were deemed “self-made,” a low point for him in games where he connected on at least 15 shots.

Brunson also saw a decline in his dribbling and touch time, averaging 4.26 dribbles and 4.7 seconds per touch. While these are still top numbers for the team, they pale in comparison to last year’s averages of 6.04 seconds per dribble and 6.06 seconds per touch.

“It’s all about finding the right thing at the right time and reading each other and making plays,” Brunson commented. “Regardless of who brings it up, it’s still a threat for everyone to be aggressive.”

Brown seems to be trying to ease Brunson’s ball-handling responsibilities, allowing others like Mikal Bridges and Miles McBride to bring the ball up at times.

The game started strong for the Knicks, with Brunson executing a catch-and-shoot three-pointer during their first possession, showcasing Brown’s strategy as Towns faced a double-team.

“JB can play anywhere on the court,” commented Bridges. “He can post up guys and can do just about anything.”

Overall, the stats emphasize Brown’s desire for a quicker pace and fluid ball movement. The Knicks engaged in 105 possessions during the game, a significant jump from last season’s average of 97.64 points, among the lowest in the league.

The team made 283 passes in the opener, slightly higher than last year’s average of 281.2. There’s a notable increase in secondary assists, a sign that players are moving the ball quickly in scoring situations. The Knicks recorded seven secondary assists, leading all teams in the opening game, compared to an average of 3.6 last season.