The New York Knicks, fresh off a championship run, started their 2026-27 NBA season looking absolutely lost, kicking things off with a brutal 0-3 record. But hold up, because since that rocky start, they have flipped the script completely, tearing it up with a 6-1 run over their last seven games, including a massive 117-85 win against the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday.
The Pressure Cooker of a Title Defense
You just won the whole darn thing, right? So everyone is watching, waiting to see if you can keep that same energy. That is the gig when you are the defending champions, and the Knicks have always been a team that pulls in the eyeballs, but this season, the spotlight was turned up to eleven. To begin the 2026-27 season, it was not just a rough patch; it was a straight-up “not meeting expectations” kind of start, especially for a squad that had just hoisted the championship trophy a few months prior. It was not a good look, and frankly, it felt like the entire league was ready to write them off.
Coach Brown Sees Character in the Struggle
But sometimes, that kind of early gut punch is exactly what a team needs. Head coach Mike Brown, who has had to address their shaky defense early on, is clearly pleased with how his team has bounced back. He knows that having a rough first impression as champions is not ideal, so seeing them rebound in such tremendous fashion is crucial. Brown put it plain and simple: “I think those types of struggles throughout the course of the year build character if you handle it the right way for when the real season happens, which is in April, May and June.” That right there is the kind of insight you expect from a championship-winning coach, understanding that early bumps can forge true grit.
Still Contenders, Still Fighting
So, are the Knicks still a threat? You bet they are. Despite the early hiccups and the defensive struggles Brown pointed out, they are proving they are ready to keep their status as a big contender. Moving forward, they are absolutely gunning to maintain that position and keep fighting to prove they deserve to be among the league’s elite. And speaking of elite, Karl-Anthony Towns continues to be a beast, racking up a double-double streak to start the year, making the importance of rebounding even bigger. There is also talk the Knicks might not have any choice but to re-sign him with a contract, which tells you how vital he is.
The Knicks have already shown the kind of fight and character that coach Brown talked about. They took a brutal 0-3 punch, shook it off, and came roaring back with a 6-1 record. This team is not backing down, they are ready to keep battling, and everyone in the league is watching to see if they can maintain this momentum and prove that championship pedigree is not just a one-time thing.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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