Knicks Notes: NBA Cup, Josh Hart, Mike Brown, Mitchell Robinson

The Knicks won the NBA Cup on Tuesday. They just won’t be hanging a banner for it.

According to Stefan Bondy of The New York Post, the team has decided against raising an in-season tournament banner at Madison Square Garden, reversing a plan that had been discussed internally. A league source told Bondy the Knicks are “focused on the bigger picture.”

Milwaukee and Los Angeles both raised banners after winning the first two NBA Cups, but New York is opting for a quieter approach. The team will still celebrate the title before Friday’s home game against Philadelphia.

Hart’s Return a Boost

The Knicks have won nine of their last 10 games since Josh Hart returned to the starting lineup. Coach Mike Brown pointed to a November meeting with Hart as a turning point.

Brown said he was honest with Hart about not having a clear feel for how to use him early in the season, in part because of Hart’s preseason injury. Hart, in turn, took responsibility for not playing to his standard. Brown said that exchange helped strengthen their relationship and reset things.

Leaning Into the Roster

Rival coaches have noticed a shift. After pushing his offensive system early in the season, Brown has eased off and allowed the roster to play more to its strengths, according to James L. Edwards III of The Athletic.

Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic said the Knicks have settled into their personnel and are letting their best players be themselves while still emphasizing movement and ball sharing.

Depth Shows Up

OG Anunoby and Jalen Brunson led the way in the Cup final, but the bench made a difference. Mitchell Robinson pulled down 10 offensive rebounds in just 18 minutes, and second-year guard Tyler Kolek added 14 points and five rebounds in a breakout performance.

The banner won’t be going up. The wins, however, keep piling up.