New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown has revealed he actually 'enjoyed' the team's historically poor 0-3 start to the season. The reigning NBA champions have since turned their fortunes around dramatically, most recently crushing the Milwaukee Bucks 117-85 on November 10, 2026, to extend their winning run to four games. Their recent form over the last five outings stands at an impressive 4W-1L, a stark contrast to their opening struggles.
Speaking about the team's rough opening, Brown offered a surprising perspective. He said the early adversity served as a necessary reminder of the difficulty of defending an NBA title. "The house wasn’t burning down for us," Brown explained. "I enjoyed our start because it was competitive."
Brown believes facing challenges early builds essential character for the playoff push. "To go through stretches throughout the course of the year where you struggle or lose to a team you’re not supposed to is okay," he said. The coach thinks these moments prepare a team for the intensity of the postseason. "I think those types of struggles throughout the course of the year build character if you handle it the right way for when the real season happens, which is in April, May and June."
The Knicks' response has been emphatic. After dropping their first three games, they have won six of their next seven. The current four-game streak includes dominant victories. It started with a 103-90 win over the Brooklyn Nets on November 2, followed by a 135-105 rout of the Chicago Bulls on November 4. They then beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 109-97 on the road November 7 before the 32-point demolition of the Bucks.
That 0-3 start was the worst for any defending champion since the 2011-12 Dallas Mavericks. But the team's confidence never wavered. Brown's calm approach seems to have filtered through the roster, allowing them to focus on fixing small mistakes rather than panicking. The turnaround has been built on both ends of the floor, with improved defensive communication and more efficient offensive execution.
The schedule offers a quick chance for revenge and consolidation. The Knicks' next fixture is an immediate rematch against the Cleveland Cavaliers, this time at home on November 11, 2026. It's a prime opportunity to extend their hot streak to five games and continue building momentum in the Eastern Conference.
Facing the same opponent in consecutive games is a unique NBA challenge. It tests a team's ability to adjust and maintain focus. For Brown and his squad, it's another step in proving their early struggles were just a temporary blip. The focus remains on being ready for the long haul, with the playoffs as the ultimate goal. Their recent performances suggest the lessons from that 0-3 start have been well and truly learned.
