If there’s one category the New York Knicks have improved on from last year to this year, it’s been their bench scoring. Head coach Mike Brown wasn’t hesitant to be aggressive in using more of his roster, having played 11 different players in the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers in their season opener.

Since then, Brown has shifted toward a nine-to ten-man rotation, harnessing the idea that running his starters into the ground isn’t a recipe for success but one that results in blind gambling. That shift has been refreshing to watch — not only for fans, but for the players themselves.

And it’s not just the public noticing the change, but Miles McBride, the team’s unofficial sixth man and key contributor off the bench.

“Honestly, I think it’s just the confidence we give to each other coming off the bench,” McBride said. “Whether it’s Jordan, Landry, Yabu — whoever’s coming off the bench — we just want to give each other confidence and really play together.”

The Knicks have vastly improved their bench scoring, tallying just 21.7 points per game last season, a number that ranked last in the league. This year, New York has taken roughly a nine-point jump, averaging 30.4 points from their second unit. That improvement alone has made their offense more balanced and sustainable through long stretches of games.

So what exactly changed?

The front office made two clear moves heading into the 2025–26 regular season. The first was firing Tom Thibodeau — despite leading the team to the Eastern Conference Finals — after recognizing that his playstyle could eventually hinder their long-term success.

The second was strengthening the bench, understanding that playing the starters nearly 40 minutes a night wouldn’t last for 82 games.

Enter Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele, two players who’ve dominated in their respective roles. Clarkson spent six seasons with the Utah Jazz, averaging 17.5 points per game off the bench. Not only was his perimeter shooting a reliable weapon, but Clarkson has fully embraced New York’s culture, where winning sits at the top of his priorities.

But wait, there's more

Then came Yabusele, who struck gold last season with the Philadelphia 76ers after filling in for Joel Embiid during his injuries. In the 70 games he played — 43 of which he started — Yabusele averaged 11.0 points and 5.6 rebounds. More importantly, he brought a gritty, fearless mindset to the game, complementing the Knicks’ blue-collar identity perfectly.

On top of those two offseason additions, Landry Shamet returned on a one-year deal, giving the sharpshooter another opportunity to prove his worth. Showing off his two-way game during the 2025 postseason, Shamet has grown on Knicks fans, consistently putting his body on the line for his shot to contribute.

Whether it’s how Mike Brown is choosing to incorporate his second unit behind the starters or how he mixes both lineups for maximum efficiency, it’s clear the Knicks didn’t just take the proper notes — they highlighted between the lines.

Hopefully, as the season continues, New York pushes that number even higher, turning their newfound depth into multi-game winning streaks that Tom Thibodeau could only dream about.