NBA Notes: Knicks, Mavericks, Kyrie Irving, Grizzlies, Zach Edey

Mike Brown made it pretty clear Wednesday that five Knicks have nothing to worry about. Everyone else does.

Brown told reporters that Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart are going to play regardless of mistakes. The rest of the roster, however, is competing either for a spot or for minutes.

“Everybody else in this gym, you’re fighting,” Brown said, via the New York Post. “You’re fighting either to make the team or you’re fighting for minutes.”

Brown added that this is “a new year, a new team” and said every day has to be treated like a competition.

Mavericks

Kyrie Irving will play in only one of the Mavericks’ two preseason games against Houston in Macao this weekend.

Coach Dusty May said Dallas hasn’t decided whether Irving will play Friday or Sunday, with the decision depending partly on how his body responds to travel and jet lag.

Irving is returning after a 19-month absence following an ACL tear in March 2025. He also revealed Thursday that his recovery was delayed by a Grade 2 calf strain last December.

“It pushed my timeline back even more,” Irving said, via The Athletic. “I had to take my time to heal.”

Grizzlies

Zach Edey finally made it back onto the floor Wednesday after ankle problems limited him to just 11 games last season.

Grizzlies coach Tumoas Iisalo acknowledged that Edey looked “very rusty,” which probably isn’t surprising considering it was his first game action since December 2025.

“What’s it been, like nine months?” Edey said, via the Memphis Commercial Appeal. “I was ready to go.”

Edey said his timing and conditioning still need work, but added that he felt good moving laterally and jumping.

Given how little he was able to play last season, simply getting through the night healthy probably qualified as progress.