Josh Hart’s protégé is the latest Knick to carve out a spot in Mike Brown’s rotation. And Hart has played a big part.
His ankle injury opened the door for Kevin McCullar Jr. to earn playing time.
He had a real role during the Knicks’ three-game road trip — 23 minutes in a win over the Hawks, nine minutes in a win over the Pelicans and eight minutes in a loss to the Spurs.
And during Friday’s 111-99 loss to the Hawks at Madison Square Garden, he was the second sub off the bench and played 17 minutes.
“He’s tough,” Brown said Friday. “He does all the little things that don’t show up in the boxscore all the time. His shifts are really good. His physicality without fouling is really good. He can rebound, or at least he’s not afraid to get in there and hit somebody when it comes to keeping your opponent off the glass. And then he understands how to play [against] different individuals. He’s got a good feel to know, like if you’re a hot shooter or a guy that can really shoot the ball, how to close out, take away that air space.
“If you’re not, if you’re more of a driver, he knows how to close out where he can take away an angle. Just a good feel for a lot of little things that he has along with that toughness and that’s what you like for a guy his size.”
It’s obviously not yet nearly to the same extent, but if there is anyone whose game McCullar’s most tries to resemble, it’s Hart’s all-around style. Brown has recognized him as one of the Knicks’ best on-ball defenders as well.
And McCullar has praised Hart as a mentor.
Kevin McCullar Jr. looks to make a pass during the Knicks’ Dec. 31 game against the Spurs. AP
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“Yeah, that’s my big bro on the team, for sure,” McCullar said previously. “His energy is contagious. I learned a lot from him over the last year.”
His rise took a step backward on Friday, though, with a rough showing. He got into early foul trouble and went scoreless, missing all three shots he took, though he did record five rebounds and six assists. He also appeared to hurt his hand or wrist during the final minute, which could jeopardize his presence in the rotation.
Regardless, when Hart returns, it will be difficult for McCullar to maintain a role.
Onyeka Okongwu of the Atlanta Hawks falls while playing against Kevin McCullar Jr. of the New York Knicks during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden on January 2, 2026. Getty ImagesBut for a few games now, the Knicks have relied on him.
