Tyler Kolek is no longer just making waves for his anti-Taylor Swift remark that got Swifties furious at the New York Knicks' third-string point guard. Kolek is also starting to be a legitimate and consistent rotation player for the Knicks. On Tuesday night, in a 117-85 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, the 25-year-old point guard impressed yet again.

Kolek, in just 15 minutes off the bench, scored 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting from the field. Miles McBride played more minutes than he did, but McBride is more of a combo guard anyway, with Kolek being more of a natural playmaker. And it looks as though Kolek has leapfrogged Jose Alvarado, who played just six minutes, in the rotation.

Knicks head coach Mike Brown, of course, has never been shy to mix up his rotations. Kolek has simply been playing so well that it's hard to deny him the minutes he's been earning.

“Right now, Tyler's played pretty good basketball. It's not anything negative on Jose or even Tyler when he's out. They just got to be ready to play when their number's called,” Brown said after the game, via Knicks Fan TV on X.

"Right now, Tyler's played pretty good basketball. It's not anything negative on Jose or even Tyler when he's out. They just got to be ready to play when their number's called."

Mike Brown gives us an update on the backup point guard rotation pic.twitter.com/4nqhnN6FzV

— Knicks Fan TV 🏀🎥📺🏁 (@KnicksFanTv) November 11, 2026

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The Knicks have been very flexible with their rotations this season, as Brown has been proactive in finding the right combinations for their specific matchup on the night. It helps as well that Kolek barely missed, and he's clearly been staying ready just in case Brown calls upon him. And tonight ended up being his night.

However, it's important to note that Kolek was also playing key minutes for the Knicks earlier last season before he was gradually phased out of the rotation and relegated to garbage time duties in the playoffs. It's important for New York to keep their players fresh after a grueling run to the title last season, and Kolek is playing a key role to that end.

Kolek also must want to get the Swifties off his back, and having good games consistently should help in that regard.