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Tyler Kolek of the New York Knicks passes the ball.
The New York Knicks moved quickly to capitalize on strong G League performances, recalling Tyler Kolek and Pacôme Dadiet after both delivered standout outings for the Westchester Knicks on Saturday.
Kolek posted a G League career-high 13 assists, while Dadiet poured in 28 points to lead Westchester to a 122–114 win over the Cleveland Charge at Westchester County Center in White Plains, New York.
Right after the game, both were back on the move — rejoining the Knicks ahead of their 8:30 p.m. ET home game against the Houston Rockets at Madison Square Garden.
Kolek Shines After Temporary Reset
For Kolek, the assignment was about rhythm — and response.
The second-year guard, who has fallen out of head coach Mike Brown’s rotation following the arrival of Jose Alvarado, worked through early shooting struggles before asserting himself as the game wore on.
Kolek finished with 19 points despite going 2-of-7 from three-point range, making up for it by converting 50 percent of his attempts inside the arc while orchestrating the offense.
“I played a lot of games,” Kolek said after the win. “I know the ups and downs — you’re gonna make or miss shots. But through my workouts, you stay confident no matter what.”
Kolek also registered a game-high +27.
That confidence carried beyond the final buzzer. With little time to spare before tipoff at Madison Square Garden, Kolek knew the turnaround would be quick.
“Shower up quick, head down there,” Kolek said. “Hopefully, I’ll make it for the tip-off.”
Playing Time Squeezed by Alvarado’s Arrival
Kolek’s brief G League stint underscored how dramatically the Knicks’ backcourt hierarchy has shifted since the trade deadline.
After Miles McBride underwent surgery earlier this month to repair a core muscle injury — an absence expected to last until the playoffs — the Knicks moved decisively, acquiring Alvarado from the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for Dalen Terry, two second-round picks and cash considerations.
Alvarado immediately carved out a role, averaging 12.0 points, 4.0 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 2.0 steals in 20.5 minutes per game since joining the rotation.
The ripple effects were immediate.
Since Alvarado’s arrival, Kolek has appeared in just two of the Knicks’ last four games, logging a total of 14 minutes, most of them in garbage time. Minutes that once belonged to the rookie evaporated almost overnight.
Kolek Embraces Competition
Despite the squeeze, Kolek has remained steadfast in his approach.
“There’s always competition in this league,” Kolek told The New York Post last week before Alvarado made his Knicks debut. “Obviously, Deuce is out for a little bit. We’re trying to be a championship-level team, so you bring in as much talent as you can.
“I’m going to compete every single day,” Kolek added. “Everybody on this team is going to compete for minutes. So it’s no slight to anybody.”
Before the deadline shakeup, Kolek had settled into a modest but defined role as a traditional table-setter. He averaged 5.0 points, 3.1 assists and 1.9 rebounds in 13.7 minutes per game, tasked with changing pace and initiating offense.
“When I get in there, change the pace,” Kolek said earlier this season. “Get guys the ball.”
Dadiet Makes His Case, Too
While Kolek handled the offense, Dadiet made his own statement with a game-high 28 points, continuing his push for consideration as the Knicks juggle wing depth down the stretch.
The addition of Jeremy Sochan further buried him on the Knicks’ depth chart. His countryman, French rookie Mohamed Diawara, has also surged ahead of him in the rotation with his defense.
With the postseason looming and rotations tightening, the Knicks appear intent on keeping both young players sharp — even if that means brief detours through Westchester.
Rotation Tightens as Stakes Rise
The recall comes as Brown continues to lean heavily on Landry Shamet and Alvarado for second-unit minutes. Veteran Jordan Clarkson, another key contributor during the Knicks’ NBA Cup championship run earlier this season, has also fallen out of the rotation.
For Kolek, the message is clear: opportunities may be fleeting, but they are still within reach.
The Knicks are firmly in win-now mode. And with playoff positioning on the line, every performance — whether in Madison Square Garden or White Plains — is being evaluated through that lens.
Alder Almo is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has more than 20 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo
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