If there’s one area the New York Knicks are steadily improving in during the 2025-26 regular season, it’s their defensive intensity. Ironically, it was the biggest concern fans had when the franchise transitioned from Tom Thibodeau to Mike Brown — a coach whose offensive philosophy contrasts sharply with Thibodeau’s defense-first mindset.

But the Knicks have begun to turn a corner, showing noticeable progress on that end of the floor. New York currently ranks seventh in defensive rating and fourth in net rating — clear indicators of a team learning to balance both sides of the ball. While there’s still room to grow, Jalen Brunson recently pointed out one category that continues to need work: transition defense.

The Captain Speaks

“I think hesitation, lack of communication. We're communicating late and it's too late by then,” Brunson said.

As it stands, the Knicks rank in the bottom ten league-wide in points allowed in transition. They also rank 29th in opponent three-pointers made per game at 15.5 — a sharp increase from the 13.0 they allowed last season. So, what’s driving this shift?

For starters, New York’s pace has quietly increased. While the numbers don’t fully reflect it, the Knicks are moving faster and playing with more tempo, currently ranking sixth in points per game. That quicker offensive rhythm often leaves less time to get set on defense.

Another factor has been the Knicks’ tendency to let their guard down late in games. Holding a comfortable lead heading into the fourth quarter, they sometimes ease up, allowing opponents to claw back and make the final score appear closer than it should be.

So, what’s the solution?

As Brunson emphasized, it starts with better communication — both on and off the court. It also falls partially on Mike Brown to identify which defensive lineups are most effective and make timely adjustments when necessary.

So far, the Knicks have been smooth sailing during their home stretch and look poised to remain one of the East’s most balanced teams moving forward.