Mike Brown's Actions Spark Tension Within Knicks Locker Room

The New York Knicks’ recent slide has exposed more than just on-court issues. As losses mount, tension between new head coach Mike Brown and his locker room appears to be surfacing, adding another layer of concern for a team that has quickly gone from early-season stability to mounting uncertainty. According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, a postgame interaction between Brown and Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green during last week’s loss did not sit well with Knicks players or some within the organization. Mike Brown’s Postgame Moment Sparks Internal Frustration Speaking on Tuesday’s episode of NBA Today, Shelburne revealed that Brown’s embrace of Green following New York’s 126-113 loss to the Warriors landed poorly, particularly given the timing. “From what I understand, that did not land well with a lot of folks there in New York,” Shelburne said. “In that locker room or even in the organization. While you can understand why he might have a bond with Draymond Green, I don’t think that landed well, especially in the middle of a losing streak for a guy who’s not felt as much a part of the organization.” Brown served as Golden State’s associate head coach from 2016 to 2022, winning three NBA championships alongside Green, Stephen Curry, and the Warriors’ core. From Brown’s perspective, the familiarity was natural. For the Knicks, however, the optics were difficult to ignore. Draymond Green Incident Adds Fuel to the Fire The postgame optics were compounded by an in-game incident that heightened emotions. During the third quarter, Green drew a flagrant foul after appearing to trip Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns, a play that drew immediate scrutiny. While Brown downplayed the impact of Green’s antics afterward, the lack of visible support for Towns only intensified criticism. Ben Stiller Voices Knicks Fan Frustration Knicks superfan and Emmy Award-winning actor Ben Stiller publicly expressed his displeasure on social media, echoing sentiments felt by many around the team. “KAT got dragged by an illegal Embiid-type non basketball play pull down on his ankle that could have injured him,” Stiller wrote on X. “Would have been disastrous if that happened. Would love to see our coach stand up for his big man.” The comment quickly gained traction, underscoring the growing disconnect between the fan base and the team’s messaging during the slump. Mike Brown’s Public Criticism of Karl-Anthony Towns Rather than defending Towns, Brown shifted focus to his center’s foul trouble after the Warriors’ loss. “Draymond, that’s how he plays, he’s always going to be intense,” Brown told reporters. “I didn’t think it impacted us. But what I did feel was KAT picking up his fifth foul, and us having to sit him down, that hurt us because we were playing relatively good at the time.” The remarks followed another pointed critique just one game earlier, after a 112-101 loss to the Sacramento Kings that helped ignite New York’s current skid. A Pivotal Knicks Play Highlights Growing Tension Late in the second quarter against Sacramento, Towns drove into the lane, lost the ball, and fell to the floor. After getting up, he jogged back on defense and never crossed halfcourt, allowing Precious Achiuwa to secure an uncontested offensive rebound that led to a Russell Westbrook corner three. Brown did not mince words. “When you fall down, you’ve got to get up and sprint down the floor,” Brown said. “Even when you’re the last guy down, you’ve got to get down there just in case there’s a long rebound. But there was no urgency… That was a five-point swing.” Brown added that Towns “didn’t even cross halfcourt,” calling it a snapshot of the night. Brown-Towns Relationship Under the Microscope The dynamic between Brown and Towns has been under scrutiny since early in the season. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst previously acknowledged tension between the two, while noting the relationship had stabilized. “Early on, there was some friction,” Windhorst said on The Hoop Collective podcast. “He’s asked to do a little bit more grunt work… He’s still having an excellent season. He and Mike Brown are in a good place right now, from what I’m told.” Recent events suggest that equilibrium may again be fragile. Knicks Slide Raises Bigger Questions The Knicks have now lost eight of their last 10 games and are 7-10 since winning the NBA Emirates Cup, slipping down the Eastern Conference standings. What once looked like a blip has turned into a defining stretch that is testing leadership, chemistry, and messaging. As losses pile up, Brown’s words and actions are drawing sharper scrutiny. Whether the Knicks can steady themselves — and whether Brown can recalibrate his approach with his locker room — may determine how quickly New York can halt its alarming slide.