Ten games into the 2025-26 NBA season, the New York Knicks sit at 6-3, undefeated at home, winless on the road.

There’s plenty to like about the early returns in the Mike Brown era.

The team is playing with energy and grit as they look to extend their four-game win streak. Still, there are a few things New York needs to tighten up if they hope to make a legitimate Finals push this season.

Here is a look at what fans should be excited about thus far, and some areas where New York needs to clean up.

What to like

Mike Brown’s rotations

At the beginning of training camp, Brown shared with reporters he planned to run with a nine-to-10-man rotation this season with New York.

After a 0-3 road trip, Brown made a noticeable adjustment, chopping his rotation down to a firm nine players, and it has paid off with a 6-0 start at Madison Square Garden.

“The last two nights were the best I’ve done for them in terms of rotations. They kinda knew when they were coming out or going in, who was going to play together,” Brown told reporters after last week’s 119-102 victory over the Washington Wizards. “And so it’s a process of trying to get more familiar with what we’re trying to do on both ends of the floor, also with the rotation patterns that we’re using.”

Brown continues to experiment with his rotations, trying different combinations to see what works, a clear shift from former Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau’s more rigid approach to lineups and minutes.

The former Sacramento Kings head coach has also shown a willingness to manage workloads, something Thibodeau was often criticized for.

In Sunday’s blowout win over the Brooklyn Nets, not a single Knick logged more than 30 minutes, which is a meaningful sign of a coach who understands the modern NBA and the importance of keeping his players fresh, especially during back-to-backs.

It’s early, but you can already see Brown’s impact. His willingness to shake up rotations and trust different guys has given this team new energy, and that flexibility might be what keeps the Knicks rolling all year.

Three-point shooting

The Knicks’ ability to shoot the lights out has been a prominent reason behind their hot start.

Thus far, New York ranks third in three-point shots made per game (16.4), trailing only the Phoenix Suns and Cleveland Cavaliers.

Their ability to generate offense from beyond the arc and to use Jalen Brunson as a catch-and-shoot option has played a huge role in the team’s success.

At this point, the Knicks’ three-point shooting is becoming their identity. Every game, they’re proving that when the shots fall, they can hang with anyone in the league.

What the team needs to improve

Three-point defense

While the Knicks have been lights-out from three-point range this season, their defense on the other end hasn’t kept up.

Opponents are taking full advantage, launching a high volume of threes and connecting at a 39.4% clip, one of the highest marks in the league.

It’s easy to overlook when New York is facing struggling teams like the Nets or Wizards, who couldn’t capitalize on all the open looks they got.

But against stronger opponents, like the Bulls, Cavaliers, or Thunder, those defensive lapses matter. Teams that can actually consistently hit their shots will make the Knicks pay for every late rotation or blown switch.

So far, the poor perimeter defense hasn’t cost New York wins, but if the Knicks want to stay in the upper tier of the East, tightening up their closeouts and communication beyond the arc will be crucial. You can’t just outshoot your opponents forever.

Containing athletic, ball-handling guards

One of the Knicks’ biggest defensive headaches this season has come against bigger, ball-handling guards and wings, players like Jaylen Brown, Josh Giddey, Bilal Coulibaly, and Kyshawn George.

Those types of ball-handlers who have a blend of athleticism and size have done damage against the Knicks.

Brown, especially, has been a matchup nightmare. His ability to bully his way into the lane and finish through contact has exposed the Knicks’ lack of size on the wing.

Giddey’s 6-foot-7 frame allows him to survey the floor and create off the dribble, while Coulibaly and George have used their length and athleticism to attack the paint and kick out to open shooters against the Knicks.

It’s not for lack of effort; it’s a mismatch problem. The Knicks’ guards fight hard, but against bigger creators who can pass, shoot, and finish, they’ve struggled to contain cleanly.

For New York to take that next defensive leap on top of improving their three-point defense, finding a way to slow down those big, athletic ball-handlers has to be a priority.