Knicks Poised to End 5,008-Day Title Drought

Entering 2025–26, the Knicks are being viewed as legitimate title contenders after hiring coach Mike Brown and building around All‑Star Karl‑Anthony Towns, who averaged 24.4 points and 12.8 rebounds last season. Brown is shifting the offense toward movement and spacing — moving Towns between the five and four, speeding decisions and emphasizing ball movement — a change that showed in the preseason with a 5.4‑second time to first action. New optimism was reinforced by a season‑opening 119–111 win over the Cavaliers in which Jalen Brunson had 23 points and five assists and Towns had 19 points and 11 rebounds. The victory energized fans and high‑profile supporters and, together with last season’s deep playoff run, has heightened hopes that the Knicks can sustain momentum and seriously challenge for a championship, ending New York’s 5,008‑day city title drought.