Knicks' Tyler Kolek shows he's prepared and able to produce

GREENBURGH — Tyler Kolek found himself at the intersection of preparation and opportunity.

It was Saturday night at the Garden, and he was summoned by Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau. Jalen Brunson was out for the eighth straight game with a sprained right ankle and Deuce McBride missed what would turn out to be a 122-103 win over the Wizards with a groin injury.

Cam Payne was inserted into the starting lineup, but Thibodeau still needed a reserve point guard. Enter the rookie from Marquette, who delivered season highs in minutes played (18:24), assists (eight) and steals (three) against the worst team in the NBA. Seven of his assists came in the second quarter.

Two days later, it was not Kolek’s performance that was on the minds of his coach and teammates. Rather, it was the work he has done behind the scenes over the course of the season that earned their plaudits.

“He’s worked hard all year,” Thibodeau said after practice at the MSG Training Center on Monday afternoon. “The things that he needed to do, he did. He works. He’s a tireless worker. Performed well in the G League.

“So when the opportunity came, he was ready. And there’s still obviously a lot of work to be done, but he keeps getting better and better, and that’s a good sign.”

With the Knicks entering a back-to-back against the Mavericks on Tuesday night and the Clippers on Wednesday night at the Garden without Brunson and perhaps without McBride, there is a chance that Kolek again will receive extended playing time.

That would please a segment of the fan base that has been vocal in its demand to see more of Kolek.

The argument is that the lefty, who is averaging 5.2 minutes in 34 games played with the Knicks this season, can provide playmaking and perimeter shooting off the bench. Kolek is shooting 37.5% from the field and 35.5% from beyond the arc.

Kolek, the 34th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, has spent a great deal of time working with assistant coach Rick Brunson.

“He’s been coaching in the league for 15-plus years [and] played in the NBA for nine years,” Kolek said before the Knicks’ 114-113 win over the Grizzlies in Memphis on Feb. 28. “He’s been in my situation. So just taking what I can from people like that and really valuing what he has to say.

“Because not only has he been through it, but he’s kind of mentored his son through it and mentored countless other players that he’s had, being a coach. It’s definitely been good and helpful, giving me that mentality and helping with my approach.”

And Kolek’s teammates are taking notice.

“He stayed ready, stayed involved, stayed working, and when he got his opportunity, he was able to go out there and execute,” Josh Hart said. “He’s continuing to put the work in now, knowing that we are going to call his number more.”

Notes & quotes: Brunson has been making “really good progress,” according to Thibodeau . . . McBride did not practice, and when asked if the guard can play against the Mavericks, Thibodeau said, “It would be premature for me to say.”

 With Steve Popper

By Steve Popper

steve.popper@newsday.com@StevePopper

Steve Popper covers the Knicks for Newsday. He has spent nearly three decades covering the Knicks and the NBA, along with just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.