Kolek and Robinson Ignite the Rally: How the Knicks’ Bench Powered a Fourth-Quarter Turnaround

The comeback didn’t materialize out of thin air. When the New York Knicks needed urgency and belief in the final 12 minutes, the spark came from the bench—specifically Tyler Kolek and Mitchell Robinson. Their combined impact flipped momentum and carried New York through a decisive fourth-quarter surge en route to a 126–124 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Tyler Kolek’s Coming-Out Quarter

Still early in his NBA journey, Kolek has steadily earned trust in Mike Brown’s rotation—and on Christmas Day, the 24-year-old repaid it with poise and shot-making when the game was on the line. Kolek scored 11 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter, finishing 5-of-9 from the floor and a scorching 4-of-5 from deep.

The defining moment came with just over two minutes left, when Kolek buried a three to cut the deficit to one, sending Madison Square Garden into a frenzy. Beyond the points, his defensive hustle and composure in traffic steadied the Knicks during possessions that demanded clarity.

Afterward, Kolek was quick to credit Brown’s demanding approach. As a point guard, he embraced being an extension of the coach on the floor—an attitude that showed in his decision-making when the pressure peaked.

Mitchell Robinson’s Will on the Glass

If Kolek supplied the shots, Robinson supplied the oxygen. The Florida native dominated the paint in the final period, collecting eight rebounds over the last 12 minutes—four of them offensive—to extend possessions and create second-chance opportunities that ultimately swung the game.

Robinson’s work was especially vital given Karl-Anthony Towns’ foul trouble, which limited him to 27 minutes (11 points, 14 rebounds). Asked how he consistently wins those 50-50 balls, Robinson’s answer was succinct and revealing: willpower. Fight. It was the embodiment of the Knicks’ identity in crunch time.

Bench Energy That Set the Tone

The numbers mattered, but the energy mattered more. The Knicks’ reserves didn’t wait for perfection—they manufactured momentum. Jalen Brunson, who closed with 34 points, acknowledged as much after the final buzzer, pointing directly to the bench as the engine of the comeback.

It was a reminder that while stars finish games, depth often decides them—especially in moments when fatigue, fouls, or matchups threaten to derail a plan.

A Win That Signals Growth

The victory lifted New York to 21–9, but the larger takeaway was structural. This was a win built on trust, readiness, and role clarity. Kolek’s fearlessness and Robinson’s relentless rebounding didn’t just change one game; they reinforced a formula the Knicks can lean on as the season deepens.

On a day when the spotlight naturally gravitates to marquee names, the Knicks’ bench wrote the script—and it read like a blueprint for sustainable success.