What happened: Tyler Kolek connected on a 3-pointer that hung on the rim before dropping for the late lead in a preseason game. He celebrated immediately after the make put New York in front by 2 with under 10 seconds left.

Why it matters: Preseason closing minutes serve as live evaluation for back-end rotation roles entering the 2026-27 season. A go-ahead basket in the final seconds gives a clear read on execution with the game on the line.

What to watch: New York continues its preseason slate ahead of the regular season. Kolek's usage in the next close finish will show how much trust the staff puts in that look.