Knicks pleased with Tyler Kolek’s development: ‘He’s a worker’

Tom Thibodeau in recent years has slowly eased young players such as Miles McBride and since-traded Quentin Grimes into the Knicks rotation.

With veteran guard Cam Payne missing his third straight game Friday night, rookie guard Tyler Kolek was pressed into an expanded role and responded well.

The second-round pick out of Marquette played a season-high 16 minutes and scored eight points on 3-for-5 shooting, with two made 3-pointers, four rebounds, two assists and one steal.

“Each day he gets better,” Thibodeau said. “He’s got a great feel for the game, and he’s a worker. He’s still learning the league and he’ll get better and better, with understanding what’s happening with defenses and also as he becomes more familiar with the people that he’s guarding and the teams.

“I think each time out, you can see his confidence growing. We have a lot of confidence in him, and I see it every day. Usually it starts in practice, and if you practice well, you usually play well.”

Added starting point guard Jalen Brunson: “I talk to Tyler every day. I like Tyler, just watching him work hard every single chance he gets, it’s something that gets me excited about his future.”

Retired former Knicks All-Star Carmelo Anthony huddled with center Karl-Anthony Towns in the locker room for several minutes after Friday’s game.

“I think you could find out in interviews and stuff, I’m a huge Carmelo Anthony fan,” said Towns, who grew up in New Jersey. “Melo’s been an integral part of my childhood and playing basketball, and if I could have kind of the career that he’s had, I’d be very, very, very blessed and honored to even be close to one of the greatest of all time.“It was cool when I was able to see Melo on the court and play against him, but in a weird way being here in New York and to be a Knick and to be with one of the greatest Knicks of all time in my life, is pretty cool.”

Asked what he’s learned about Towns as his teammate, Josh Hart quipped: “I don’t think he really likes being called Meow. I’ve kind of learned that, so I haven’t called him that in a while,” referring to Towns’ nickname KAT.

“Besides that, he’s a very team-oriented player, a team-first guy,” Hart added. “He’s willing to sacrifice, and obviously when you have one of your guys, one of your engines, that has accountability like that … it trickles down.”

Payne (hamstring) and Miles McBride (illness) are listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Pacers.

Obi Toppin (ankle), Andrew Nembhard (knee) and T.J. McConnell (illness) are questionable for Indiana. Aaron Nesmith (ankle), Isaiah Jackson (Achilles) and James Wiseman (Achilles) are out.