Knicks' Reserves Fall to Wizards in Penultimate Preseason Game
The Washington Wizards had the New York Knicks' substitutes bewitched on Monday night at Madison Square Garden.
Sitting most of their regular against the reeling Wizards, the Knicks endured a 120-103 defeat in their penultimate game of the 2025 preseason. Marvin Bagley put up an 18-point, 11-rebound double-double while newly-crowned 21st overall pick Will Riley had 17 tallies off the bench. Tyler Kolek led the Knicks with 20 points in defeat.
All five regular Knicks starters (OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, Jalen Brunson, Mitchell Robinson, Karl-Anthony Towns) sat out, as did reserves Josh Hart, Ariel Hukporti, and Landry Shamet. That granted extended opportunities to this offseason's newcomers like Malcolm Brogdon, Jordan Clarkson, and Guerschon Yabusele, who were joined by 2024 first-round pick Pacome Dadiet and second unit mainstay Miles McBride.
While there were fleeting highlights, such as Dadiet opening scoring with back-to-back threes, it was an evening of struggles for the second unit. It was also, perhaps, a strong showing for fellow 2024 draftee and backcourt reserve Kolek, who also had six assists and was 7-of-13 from the field and 5-of-5 from the foul line amidst trade rumors that could to life if the Knicks solidify their plan to keep late veteran additions like Brogdon and Shamet.
But with most of their height missing (Hukporti was reportedly set to start but was held out due to an illness), the Knicks were badly outrebounded, allowing a Washington group fresh off its preseason opener from the day before to run away with the otherwise meaningless final score.
Washington (1-1) likewise sat some of its attractions, including Bilal Coulibaly, AJ Johnson, CJ McCollum, Khris Middleton, and Alex Sarr. The Wizards will be back at MSG on Nov. 3 for the first of three regular season get-togethers.
In the meantime, the Knicks wrap up their preseason slate on Friday when they host the Charlotte Hornets at MSG (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG).
Packers News: Matt LaFleur Takes Notice of Tucker Kraft’s Transformation After TE’s Award
There are high hopes for Green Bay Packer tight end Tucker Kraft to take another leap in the 2025 NFL season. After improving on his 2023 rookie numbers during the 2024 NFL season, Kraft appears to have the potential to be the first tight end ever in the history of the franchise to amass at least 1,000 yards.
It remains to be seen whether he could live up those expectations, but off the field, the former South Dakota State Jackrabbis star tight has recently turned heads when he was honored with the 2025 community service award during Green Bay’s annual Green Bay Chamber of Commerce “Welcome Back Packers Luncheon” on Friday, according to Mike Spofford of the team’s official website.
Green Bay Packers TE Tucker Kraft’s charity gets appreciated
Kraft earned the award for his charitable gestures in Wisconsin and back home in South Dakota. The 24-year-old tight end has been a supporter of the Cheyenne River Youth Project, a local nonprofit, which has helped give over a thousand toys to kids.
After accepting the award, Kraft offered a short but meaningful speech.
“Where you’re from can never set a limit on where you want to go,” Kraft said.
Meanwhile, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur shared a special message about his appreciation for Kraft.
“It’s an honor to work with a guy like that each and every day,” LaFleur said. “To watch the maturity and growth, not only as a person but as a player … he does a great job representing what we want to be about with his actions on the field as well as off the field.
“Tuck, we can’t have enough guys like you on our football team.”
