Coming off a gut-wrenching loss to the Detroit Pistons, the New York Knicks found themselves in a difficult place they haven’t been in all season long. A fourth consecutive loss meant they could slip down the Eastern Conference standings as division rivals, the Boston Celtics, attempted to leap forward.

However, they put the losing streak on hold during a matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers at home. That night, the entire team came together, with six players scoring in double figures, as Jalen Brunson led the way. What went right for them was their bench stepped up massively, considering Mitchell Robinson had nine rebounds, Jordan Clarkson had 12 points and Guerschon Yabusele, surprisingly, scored eight points.

The 12-point triumph over Los Angeles showcased how well the Knicks can play when their bench supports the starting five in high-pressure situations, such as in the fourth quarter, where they took a slight lead and refused to look back. So, when New York embarked on a four-game road trip, it was reasonable to assume the same would happen. Until it didn’t, as the Knicks took their 14th loss to the Phoenix Suns in a tight affair. Something that became increasingly evident that night was that the Knicks' bench was slacking compared to the starting lineup, which all scored in double figures.

In all fairness, Robinson did have 14 rebounds, and Clarkson ended with 12 points. Still, the second unit needs to start producing more during crucial matchups like these, where they are facing a potential playoff team.

My Hottest Take: Tyler Kolek Needs to Step Up in Order to Rejuvenate the Bench

Coming into this season, the Knicks’ bench was filled with talent looking to make its presence felt, but more often than not, it seemed that the second unit couldn’t get going unless someone stepped up. In many of those instances, it was Tyler Kolek who rallied the reserves.

The sophomore guard showcased his toughness, athleticism, and speed on full display during the NBA Cup final and against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Christmas. Both of those performances resulted in wins for the Knicks, and Kolek received much-deserved recognition.

But since that stretch, Kolek has seemingly slowed down, tallying less than 10 points in his team’s last eight games. He fell out of the rotation against the Suns, where he had two points, two rebounds and an assist in 10 minutes of playing time. I believe his lackluster performances partially contributed to the loss, considering his presence hasn’t been felt since the game against Cleveland.

Therefore, if the Knicks want to get back on track, that will start with Kolek rising to the occasion. That will help increase the bench’s energy, creating more shot attempts and defensive pressure. Those two things will help the Knicks go on scoring runs of length, similar to what they did against the Clippers. I’m a firm supporter of the team's abilities to succeed, but it depends on whether Kolek is willing to step up.

Before You Leave: Josh Hart Has Returned From Injury

During that same energizing stretch against the Cavaliers, Josh Hart went down with an ankle injury. The injury took the veteran guard out of action for eight games. With him out of the lineup, the Knicks' rebounding and shot creation dropped off, considering Hart would significantly improve both statistics.

Now that Hart is back and played in Sunday’s game against the Portland Trailblazers, New York should start to rebound and move the ball better. Those are two things they will need to prioritize during their next matchups against the Sacramento Kings, Golden State Warriors and Dallas Mavericks.