Mike Brown’s Praise for Jordan Clarkson

The Knicks coach, Mike Brown, has been quite expressive lately. After their 121-116 victory against the Pelicans on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden, he took a moment to highlight the promising performances of Jordan Clarkson, who seems to be finding his stride in the rotation.

“Jordan has been doing well on both sides of the court,” Brown remarked. “He’s contributing defensively and offensively. Honestly, his knack for reading defenses, making those timely cuts, and finishing in the paint? It’s a joy to watch. It adds a fresh dimension to our game plan.”

Clarkson was seen as a crucial addition to the bench when the Knicks signed him in the off-season. Yet, despite contributing some valuable minutes, he found himself sitting on the bench for a significant period during the middle of the season.

However, during this seven-game winning streak, he’s managed to reclaim an important role, finishing the game on Tuesday with 10 points and five assists.

What’s been most striking is how he’s displaying different aspects of his game, particularly on defense. Known primarily as an explosive scorer, his renewed focus and effort defensively have earned him more playing time.

“You can see the awareness and urgency he’s bringing, especially on defense,” Brown said. “What stands out to me is his physicality. You feel his presence; he’s relentless.”

As for Miles McBride, he’s been making strides in his recovery from sports hernia surgery. He advanced to scrimmage recently and has been practicing normally. Although he hasn’t played since January 27, it’s encouraging to see him progressing.

In terms of other news, Mohamed Diawara’s debut uniform—where he played for mere seconds and didn’t record any stats—was sold for an impressive $5,376 at a recent Sotheby’s auction.

Meanwhile, instead of facing the Pelicans, Ariel Hukporti was sent to the G League, where he excelled for the Westchester Knicks, scoring 32 points along with 10 rebounds, five assists, and four blocks.

On another note, Karl-Anthony Towns was honored with the NBA Community Assist Award for February. His efforts in driving the Digital Court movement, supporting youth initiatives in the Dominican Republic, and advocating for social justice were recognized before Tuesday’s game with a plaque presented by President Leon Rose and Vice President William Wesley.

In acknowledgment of Towns’ work, the NBA and the NBPA Foundation will be donating $20,000 to the Dominican Women’s Development Center.