The New York Knicks fell to a 6-5 record on Wednesday after losing 115-107 to the Cleveland Cavaliers at home.
The loss follows a difficult period for the defending NBA champions, who began the 2026-27 season with three consecutive losses. Since that 0-3 start, the team has gone 6-1 over its last seven games, including a 117-85 victory against the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday, according to Yahoo Sports.
“The group is resilient,” Mike Brown said, adding that the early adversity serves as a reminder of the challenges of defending a title.
Jalen Brunson plays 4:20 of the fourth quarter to Tyler Kolek's 7:40 as the Knicks fall short in their comeback attempt vs Cleveland, 115-107: 27 points team high 12-23 FG 3-8 three 5 assists -20 game low Brunson 7th most fourth-quarter minutes on the Knicks pic.twitter.com/7hTrQBgfxs
The team returned with mostly the same lineup, though Andre Drummond replaced Mitchell Robinson.
Eight games into this season, they have fallen to 12th, with the Knicks bottoming-out inside the arc and third-to-last in two-point tries and dead-last in two-point percentage.
"I think those types of struggles throughout the course of the year build character if you handle it the right way for when the real season happens, which is in April, May and June." Mike Brown talks about the Knicks bouncing back from their 0-3 start to the season: pic.twitter.com/vXiHy8ZDQP
Brunson was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week for last week, averaging 27.7 points and 6.3 assists in three games as all Knicks wins.
The team’s two-point shooting has seen a decline. Andre Drummond has shot a career-low 20-for-47 (43.5%) in the paint as he has replaced Mitchell Robinson, who shot 72.3% in the paint last season as the back-up center.
Late-clock execution has proven challenging.
Coach Brown said that the early-season struggles could provide long-term benefits for the roster.
I think those types of struggles throughout the course of the year build character if you handle it the right way for when the real season happens, which is in April, May and June.
Mike Brown
That we’re still resilient. That we’re still open to getting better every single day. And through the highs and lows of the season, how quickly can we bounce back?
Jalen Brunson
It’s gonna be hard. This is a new year, new season and new challenges, so we have to embrace all the little details while trying not to have much slippage in our process because nobody is handing anything to us. And if we want to have success, which we’re more than capable of, that’s what some of these wins show you, that we have to go earn it.
Jalen Brunson
Josh Hart missed the past two games due to right ankle soreness and is questionable for Tuesday’s game against the Bucks at Madison Square Garden. Hart had practiced Friday before missing Saturday’s win in Cleveland, and he also practiced on Monday.
Landry Shamet started in Hart’s place during his two-game absence. If Hart returns, it remains notable whether he is able to play both legs of an upcoming back-to-back where the Knicks play the Cavaliers at home on Wednesday, or if the team chooses to sit him for one of those games.
KAT, THE PLAYMAKER 💪 Dishing dimes. Converting and-1s. Making tough shots. He's got 10 points (game-high) and 4 assists for the @nyknicks! pic.twitter.com/Z9mE52oomk
Despite early inconsistencies, the defending champions have steadied themselves to reach the .500 mark at 4-4 and 5-4 before moving to a 6-4 record in their first 10 games, and sit at 6-5 following the loss to Cleveland.
They are the only team that has reached the Cup quarterfinals in each of the first three years of the competition, though they dropped their first East Group B game against the 76ers in Philadelphia.
Jalen Brunson: ONE TRIPLE AWAY from 1,000 career 3PM! 🍿 Cavs/Knicks 📺 7pm/et on ESPN pic.twitter.com/UMhOhVEckl
More on Mike Brown
Most free throws in game: 25 Cleveland Cavaliers 11 James Harden 11 New York Knicks 0 Jalen Brunson pic.twitter.com/MCnJ09MGxY