Jose Alvarado (ankle) available vs. Brooklyn

Alvarado has missed the Knicks’ last four games with a sprained ankle, resulting in Tyler Kolek entering the rotation. While he did play well in the first three games that Alvarado missed, Kolek struggled in Friday’s loss to the 76ers.

Alvarado will miss a fourth straight game with this ankle injury. Tyler Kolek and Miles McBride will continue to fill out the backup point guard minutes, with Kolek having been more effective as of late. Unless you’re desperate for dimes from Kolek, it’s best to look elsewhere for production.

This will be a third straight absence for Alvarado. Miles McBride and Tyler Kolek should continue to split the backup point guard minutes, which hasn’t been enough time for either to make a significant impact in the box score.

Alvarado will miss a second straight game, which means the backup point guard minutes will go to Miles McBride and Tyler Kolek. McBride played 13 minutes in Sunday’s loss and wasn’t able to provide much value, while Kolek dished out nine assists in 15 minutes. Kolek should be the better streaming option, though only for managers in deep leagues who are desperate for some dimes.

Alvarado’s absence won’t affect fantasy basketball, but it will affect the back end of the Knicks’ rotation. Tyler Kolek may get rotation minutes after being a DNP-CD in the Knicks’ losses to the 76ers and Celtics.

Alvarado, who played 11 minutes in Friday’s loss to the Celtics, is dealing with a sprained left ankle. If he can’t play, his absence would hurt the Knicks’ rotation more than fantasy basketball. Tyler Kolek could slide into the back end of the rotation, but he’s unlikely to get the minutes needed to merit being streamed in fantasy leagues.

McBride rebounded nicely from his poor showing in Tuesday’s loss to the 76ers, a game in which he scored three points on 1-of-5 shooting. Against the Celtics, Deuce shot 6-of-8 from three and scored 20 of the Knicks’ 32 bench points. The reserve role doesn’t help McBride deliver consistent fantasy value, but he can be an effective source of points and three-pointers in deep leagues.

Throughout the preseason, reports suggested Brown was well-positioned to make the Knicks’ Opening Night roster. However, with owner James Dolan making it clear he wanted to avoid the second apron at all costs, New York needed to move someone to keep Brown. Apparently, the front office couldn’t make a move, so they waived Brown. Players with contracts seen as movable, including Pacôme Dadiet and Tyler Kolek, will stay put for now.

Alvarado pushed back the deadline to make a decision on his player option to Friday, giving him and the Knicks time to make a deal. Had he opted into the final season of his contract, the point guard would have received $4.5 million. Alvarado’s agreement to the new deal gives the front office a little more room to fill out the Knicks’ roster, especially if it’s backloaded. Given his role as Jalen Brunson’s backup, “Grand Theft Alvarado” is more important to the Knicks than to fantasy managers.

Alvarado initially had to decide by June 22 whether to pick up his option for the 2026-27 season, worth $4.5 million. His willingness to push the deadline back by a few days gives the backup point guard and the Knicks a little more time to work out the financials. The Brooklyn native wasn’t always in the rotation during the postseason, but his play in Game 4 of the NBA Finals was a big reason why the Knicks won their first title since 1973. With six players, most notably Mitchell Robinson and Landry Shamet, set to hit free agency, New York’s front office will have its work cut out keeping the roster intact.