The 2025-26 Knicks have opened strong. Through 24 games (as of early December) their record sits at roughly 16–7 (or 17–7, depending on the exact cutoff). That marks a healthy winning percentage (≈.696). By contrast, while publicly available game-by-game streak data for the first 24 of 2024-25 is a little patchier, the team went on to finish 51–31 overall and – extrapolating from their 20-10 record through 30 games – they likely hovered near 15–9 or 16–8 after 24 games. Thus: the early-season performance in 2025-26 is at least as good, likely a bit sharper, than the comparable 2024-25 start.

One major underlying difference is coaching and schematic changes. After the 2024-25 season, the Knicks replaced Tom Thibodeau with Mike Brown as head coach. Under Brown, New York appears to be playing with somewhat more fluidity and offensive tempo: the 2025-26 team’s per-game scoring is reportedly near 120.5 points per game (5th in the league), with an opponent-ppg allowed of ~111.9. Those figures suggest improvement offensively over the 2024-25’s 115.8 PPG — a sign that the scheme, pace, or shot selection has shifted. In 2024-25, the Knicks’ “pace” was among the slower tiers (pace: 96.7, 26th of 30). The new coaching regime seems to have opened things up more, which may account in part for the early-season win rate and scoring uptick.

Finally, shooting efficiency and roster construction appear to be better balanced. While detailed per-game splits for the first 24 games of 2025–26 are limited, publicly available reporting shows that when key players — notably perimeter-oriented two-way wings and 3-point threats — are healthy, the Knicks are hitting their shots. For instance, recent games highlight contributions from newly integrated rotation pieces alongside established scorers, and the offense seems more spread out. Moreover, the fact that the Knicks are combining a high offensive output (120.5 PPG) with a defense that keeps opponents around 111.9 suggests improved balance — something the 2024–25 squad sometimes lacked, especially when results swung with reliance on isolation-heavy or mid-range-dominated lineups.

In sum: through 24 games, the 2025-26 Knicks show clear signs of being a more versatile, more efficient, and better-balanced team than their 2024-25 selves. The coaching change has resulted in a more open, higher-scoring scheme, and shooting/spacing (plus possibly a deeper rotation) appears to be paying dividends. If those elements hold steady — health, chemistry, and adherence to the new system — this Knicks squad could be in position for a serious run.

Based on the performance described in the four-paragraph analysis — namely, a strong start, clear schematic improvement, enhanced offensive efficiency, and generally better balance than the comparable stretch of the previous season — the Knicks would merit a solid A- at this point in the 2025–2026 season.

Here is the reasoning behind that grade:

1. Record and trajectory:
A projected 16–7 or 17–7 record through 24 games places them among the top teams in the conference and is slightly stronger than their opening quarter of 2024–25. Strong early positioning matters in an Eastern Conference where seeding can swing dramatically in the final month.

2. Systemic improvement under Mike Brown:
The team appears to have embraced a more dynamic offensive structure: improved tempo, enhanced spacing, and more democratic ball movement. A noticeable scoring increase — into the top five leaguewide — justifies giving the coaching transition high marks.

3. Shooting and roster efficiency:
The offense is not only producing more points but doing so more efficiently. A more stable perimeter presence and improved shot profile compared to the prior season’s early stretch suggests sustainable growth rather than a hot streak.

4. Areas that keep it from an A or A+:
While the offense has surged, the defensive metrics (opponent ≈112 PPG) indicate there is still room for improvement. Additionally, the sample size — only 24 games — is promising but not enough to conclude dominance without some reservation.

Final Grade: A-
The Knicks have performed at a high level, showing meaningful structural and stylistic progression. If their defensive consistency tightens and the offensive efficiency sustains, this grade could rise to a full A by midseason.