With a few days between matches for the New York Knicksthe team had some of its rookies get reps in their G-League affiliate in Westchester, including guard Tyler Kolekwho came out Friday during the Westchester game as he looks to make a name for himself at the NBA level.

Knicks’ Tyler Kolek dominates G-League game

Kolek scored 30 points, dished out 10 assists and grabbed six rebounds in Westchester’s win over the College Park Skyhawks. Additionally, many members of the NBA Knicks were in attendance for his superb performance, including Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, and OG Anunoby.

The former Marquette product who was selected in the second round of the draft has shown serious playing potential in his brief appearances in the NBA. The Knicks bench needs to score and play, and Kolek could soon be an important solution for their second unit.

Injuries to Miles McBride and Cameron Payne have allowed Kolek to receive some playing time this season, although he still has not played a substantial number of minutes. His best NBA performance came on November 8 against the Milwaukee Bucks, when he scored eight points (3-for-5 FG, 2-for-4 3PT), grabbed four rebounds and dished out two assists in 16 minutes . bench in a resounding home victory.

Can Kolek break the Knicks rotation?

Head coach Tom Thibodeau has generally been reluctant to give serious minutes to rookies, especially on a team with title aspirations. However, this season he has given rookies more chances, as Pacome Dadiet and Ariel Hukporti as well as Kolek have received extra pressure in matches this season.

It’s unlikely that Kolek will suddenly become a mainstay in the Knicks’ rotation after his stellar performance in Westchester, but this performance can at least give Thibodeau a vote of confidence that Kolek is closer to being NBA ready than he thinks.