With injuries mounting, rookie Tyler Kolek knows he must step up as Knicks point guard

The Knicks had a tough night Wednesday, and it wasn't just their loss to the Clippers.

Despite dropping yet another game to a team with a record above .500 -- they sit at 11-18 this season against such teams -- Cam Payne missed the entire second half after spraining his ankle Wednesday night.

It's the latest injury to befell a Knicks point guard after Jalen Brunson's ankle sprain has knocked him out for weeks, and Miles McBride missing his third straight game due to a groin contusion. As was the case in Tuesday's win against the Mavericks, rookie Tyler Kolek was the backup point guard and played well. But the same could not be said against the Clippers.

"He’s capable. Just get in there and get it done," coach Tom Thibodeau said of Kolek's game. "Each game you learn. It tells you what you have to work on. It’s not just individual it’s collective how do we function as a team? We talked about not replacing Jalen individually we have to do it collectively."

Tuesday night, Kolek had one of his best professional performances, dishing nine assists in 19 minutes and change. But against the top-rated Clippers defense, the rookie had a bit more trouble.

In nearly 19 minutes on the court, Kolek did not score a point on 0-for-3 shooting and missed his two free-throw attempts. He did dish seven assists and came down with a rebound but made a turnover and was an overall minus-14 while on the floor. The Marquette product is still learning, and Wednesday's loss was eye-opening for him.

"My mindset is that I’m out there with four other guys who have asserted themselves in the NBA. They’re professionals. I’m just a rookie," Kolek explained. "I can’t come out there and have a mindset of just 'here, let these guys,' I’m the point guard, I still have to be assertive in leading the guys and getting them to where we want to get to. And following what coach needs me to do."

Thibodeau teams are built on defense, something Kolek struggled with in the third quarter when the Clippers turned the game around in their favor. Kolek was on the floor for 12 minutes and was a minus-11 in the frame, unable to defend the three-pointer.

"I have to be more organized. They kept coming out with that two-man game. I got to be better defending that," Kolek said. "Got split a couple of times, and they were getting loose for threes. I got to definitely be better on that end."

Kolek and the Knicks know those lessons are learned quicker while on the court, something the 24-year-old may see more of as the team waits for word on Payne's condition.

If Payne is unable to go in the team's next game, Friday at Milwaukee, Thibodeau feels the Knicks have "more than enough" with Kolek and veteran Delon Wright -- who played 12 minutes Wednesday -- playing the point. As the Knicks coach points out, with the injuries the team has to play cleaner and do things the right way.

"The points we gave up off the turnovers were [high]. When you’re shorthanded, that’s probably the difference in the game," Thibodeau said. "Our margin of error is small. We have to play extremely hard and smart but those hustle points are huge."

"It’s tough. Injuries are always tough and for some reason, they are smacking us in the same position," Josh Hart said after the game. "We just have to piece it together… It’s going to be tough but we just have to figure out ways to scratch out wins and hopefully, we get those guys back."

Until they do get their guards back, Kolek will be asked to do more something he wanted but wished happened under better circumstances. But he knows he has to stay ready, whether he's starting or sitting on the bench cheering. That's the mindset he's learning from Payne, who Kolek credits for getting him ready.

Payne has thrived in the league for so long being a capable bench guard and Kolek says he's constantly picking Payne's brain on how to prepare and make an impact when his number is called.

"I have to be more aggressive," Kolek reiterated. "I’m out there learning. Just have to lean on the other guys helping out 110 percent every time I'm out there." 

"[I'm seeing] Steady improvement. He’ll get better," Thibodeau assessed. "Like most rookies, you go through a learning curve as he understands players better, schemes better, it’s a different game. I like Tyler a lot."