Before 2025, it had been 25 years since the New York Knicks last made it to the Eastern Conference Finals.
This year, they not only reached that milestone but also eliminated the reigning champions, the Boston Celtics, along the way.
Superstar Jalen Brunson claimed last season’s Clutch Player of the Year award, and the city buzzed with optimism.
Yet, for all the highs, one glaring weakness remained for the Knicks: their lack of offensive consistency from the bench.
New York addressed that this offseason with a sharp addition in former Sixth Man of the Year Jordan Clarkson, one of the league’s most reliable microwave scorers.
[ALSO READ: Fil-Am Jordan Clarkson reveals reason for joining New York]
The Fil-Am guard arrives in New York ready to embrace any role, eager to blend his game seamlessly with the Knicks’ talented core.
“For me, I’m going to be myself within what’s already going on. I’ll make my changes or whatever I’ve got to do to fit in here and play the right way,” Clarkson told reporters at media day.
New year... new threads for @JordanClarksons 🍎
— NBA (@NBA) September 24, 2025
After a 51-win season and a deep playoff run, the Knicks chose stability over spectacle, keeping their core intact while adding pieces in the margins rather than chasing a blockbuster trade.
With new head coach Mike Brown guiding the way, Clarkson is prepared to do whatever it takes to help the Knicks chase the ultimate prize.
“The team is really good. They’re playing for something,” Clarkson said.
Over a decade in the league, the former 2nd round pick of the 2014 Draft averaged 16 points per game and earned a Sixth Man award in 2021.
By comparison, last season, the Knicks’ bench averaged just 21.7 points per game.
In fact, New York reserves scored 20 or more points only three times: once by Miles McBride and twice by Landry Shamet.
And for Clarkson? He reached that mark 12 times while playing his final season with the Utah Jazz last year, 22 the year before, and more than 25 times in 2022–23.
“It’s a natural fit. A team lacking bench scoring adds arguably the best bench scorer. I’ll ease into my shot selection at the start, but down the line, the guys know to throw it to me — and the ball’s going in the air,” the 33-year-old bared.
"Guys know - you throw it to me, it's getting in the air. The majority of the time, I feel like I'm open. That comes with a grain of salt - I know I've got to take good shots and play the right way as well."
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) September 24, 2025
- Jordan Clarkson on his role with the Knicks
While instant offense is his calling card, Clarkson is committed to becoming a team player, and Brown sees the same in his new ward.
“He’s crafty. Averaging over two assists per game off the bench shows he knows the game — he’s not just scoring. That’s what I like about him,” Brown said of the veteran scorer.
—
Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.
