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Knicks Release Sharpshooting Veteran Guard

The New York Knicks are set to bid farewell to another one of their late additions.
Geoff Magliocchetti|
Mar 10, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Garrison Mathews (24) on the court prior to the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Mar 10, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Garrison Mathews (24) on the court prior to the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

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New York Knicks

The New York Knicks are reportedly set to bid farewell to another one of their late backcourt acquisitions.

Per Ian Begley of SNY, the Knicks will release Garrison Mathews as they prepare to trim their roster in time for opening night of the regular season. Mathews was one of several September signings the Knicks made and the second one to leave after Malcolm Brogdon's unexpected retirement earlier this week. New York, which was said to be "impressed" with Mathews' efforts, has less than 24 hours to get the roster set and compliant with the second salary apron.

Mathews, who spent the last two-plus seasons with the Atlanta Hawks, appeared in four preseason games for the Knicks, totaling 27 points. He dressed but did not partake in the preseason finale against the Charlotte Hornets, which served as a de facto dress rehearsal for regular season action despite several of the main men (i.e. OG Anunoby, Karl-Anthony Towns) sitting.

His most notable performance came in the Minnesota Timberwolves' visit last week, which saw him miss the game-winning shot in regulation before sinking two triples in overtime en route to a 100-95 triumph. Overall, Mathews was 7-of-17 with an extra point on the line in the exhibition quartet.

Atlanta Hawks guard Garrison Mathews
Feb 1, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Garrison Mathews (24) shoots the ball against the Indiana Pacers in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images | Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

While Mathews has reportedly appreciated his time in New York, he told Stefan Bondy of the New York Post that he came in with the idea of landing a rotational spot and would not accept a spot with the G League club in Westchester ... assuming one's there to offer if he even clears waivers. His sharpshooting abilities, to the tune of a career three-point shooting percentage of 40.5 percent, should assure that he gets another job fairly quickly, as he placed fourth among qualified shooters in such success rate with the Hawks in 2023-24.

How the Knicks' backcourt picture shakes out will be one of the most intriguing questions that will be answered this weekend, the last before New York opens its regular season against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Oct. 22: Brogdon's sudden retirement opened up a potential rotation spot, one that could well serve as the top spell option for franchise face and team captain Jalen Brunson. Mathews' supposed departure could well mean that several familiar faces return, including incumbent depth star Landry Shamet and homegrown talents like Pacome Dadiet and Tyler Kolek. The latter duo saw their names included in recent trade rumors, though Kolek got 14 minutes of action in the preseason-closing win over Charlotte.

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Geoff Magliocchetti
GEOFF MAGLIOCCHETTI

Geoff Magliocchetti is a veteran sportswriter who contributes to a variety of sites on the "On SI" network. In addition to the Yankees/Mets, Geoff also covers the New York Knicks, New York Liberty, and New York Giants and has previously written about the New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, Staten Island Yankees, and NASCAR.

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