It’s been 135 days since the New York Knicks won a basketball game.

I am contractually obligated to remind you that was the title-clincher in last year’s NBA Finals. But the Knicks are now 0-3 to start the season after winning it all.

Most concerning for New York has been the offense, which ranks last in points per game (101.7) and in the bottom half of the league in nearly every other statistic.

Sunday’s loss to the Orlando Magic provided a potential out for head coach Mike Brown, though, as Tyler Kolek shined in his season debut. He didn’t score a single point, but generated offense with nine assists and no turnovers.

No assist in that highlight reel is more important than the first: a pocket pass under the basket to a cutting Mikal Bridges. You can hear Walt Clyde Frazier suggesting that New York find ways to get Bridges involved just seconds beforehand.

It’s been a struggle for the Knicks’ wing to start the year. And that’s putting it nicely.

Through three games, Bridges has scored just 10 points on 21.7% shooting from the field. He’s yet to make a three-pointer or make a visit to the charity stripe.

New York’s offensive rating with Bridges on the floor is 89.6. That’s the lowest of anyone outside of James Wiseman.

Related: he’s played nine minutes.

So, why Kolek? The two have well-documented chemistry.

Per NBA.com, Bridges was on the receiving end of 39 assists from Kolek last season. That’s more than anyone else on the roster. And it goes both ways.

Bridges and Kolek were each other’s leading teammate in frequency rate, in terms of passes made between teammates last season. There’s a two-man game here.

Bridges and Kolek shared 459 passes last season per NBA.com, totaling 60 made field goals on 46 assists. The duo were a consistent source of production.

According to Fadeaway, the Knicks outscored opponents by 10.2 points per 100 in 356 possessions last season with Bridges and Kolek on the floor.

Bridges is the sore thumb standing out on an offense full of thumbs. Finding ways to get his shot going has to be amongst the top priorities for Mike Brown.

Playing him with Kolek is as good a starting point as any, and it’s not just Bridges who benefits from playing next to the guard.

Kolek also has an established chemistry with Karl-Anthony Towns.

Staggering stars

Some of you are wondering why one of the only guys who’s looked without rust to start the year would need help? It’s true. Towns is in midseason form.

But coach Brown’s rotations aren’t.

New York has played 40 minutes without Jalen Brunson through three games, and the results are jarring: -12.3 net rating, 115.2 offensive rating, and a 127.5 defensive rating.

They’ve won the minutes where Towns plays and Brunson sits, but by a slim margin and at a rate of defense that’s unsustainable–141 points per 100.

That only accounts for 21 of the 40 total minutes Brunson sat, thanks to foul trouble for Towns–but that’s a separate issue.

Now, Kolek is no defensive stalwart. But as Brown tweaks his rotations until he finds the perfect combination, the spark-plug facilitator should keep getting action.

Because what is clear already this season is that one of Brunson and Towns will have to be on the floor at all times. Playing the duo of Kolek and Towns or a trio with Bridges is one of Brown’s best bets in absence of Brunson.

We’ll soon see if Kolek has earned more playing time after his passing clinic against the Magic. New York hosts the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night at MSG.

Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 pm EST.