The New York Knicks are going through some growing pains as they try and combat some championship hangover. On Monday night, they had some difficulties against a struggling Brooklyn Nets team, which required some unsung heroes to step up and give the team a boost on their way to a 103-90 victory to move to 3-4 on the season.
One of those unsung heroes was Jordan Clarkson. Lost in the shuffle on most nights, Clarkson gave the Knicks the lift they needed. He did score just seven points on 3-of-5 shooting from the field, but him being out there on the court changed the dynamic of the game for New York; they outscored the Nets by 17 during the former Sixth Man of the Year's minutes.
But perhaps the biggest contribution Clarkson had on the night was simply the joy he played the game with, as he embraced being the quintessential good teammate to lift the Knicks' spirits.
“I'll say this about [Clarkson]. I've been around some good teammates when it comes to players. He's gotta be the best. He's the definition of ultimate pro,” Knicks head coach Mike Brown said of Clarkson in his postgame presser, via SNY Knicks on X.
“You have a veteran that's been there, done that, and he's willing to accept the role that most guys wouldn't accept. If he's willing to accept it, which is what he did last year, and still try to uplift everybody and connect everybody while he's going through what he's going through. That's the ultimate team player.”
Article Continues BelowMike Brown says Jordan Clarkson is the "best teammate" he's coached
"I've been around some good teammates when it comes to players. He's gotta be the best. He's the definition of ultimate pro" pic.twitter.com/wiqIrULVpV
— SNY Knicks (@sny_knicks) November 3, 2026
Clarkson could perhaps still hold a microwave bench scoring role on another team instead of getting just 10 to 15 minutes per contest with the Knicks. But he's embraced being a part of this team, and he always stays ready in case his number is called. And on Monday, that's what Brown did, and he delivered.