Knicks Crisis: Mike Brown, Towns Struggling

Halfway through the 2025-26 season the Knicks are still not syncing with head coach Mike Brown, Ian Begley reports. "This group is not tied together in the way that their early season success would suggest," and the record tells a tale: 25-18 and third in the East, yet nine losses in the last 11 and a 114-97 blowout by Dallas. Since their NBA Cup win on Dec. 16 the defense has plummeted to 29th in defensive rating, per NBA.com, while key pieces like Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby are shooting below expectations. Merlin sees a club wrestling with continuity after another coaching change and limited time to mesh. The front office is all in, so pressure mounts on Brown to stitch roles and restore the defense. If he cannot, New York risks squandering a promising roster before playoff time.