As soon as the ball is tipped, Knicks veteran Jordan Clarkson starts buzzing.
Look near the Knicks’ bench and you might see him running to the back to stretch or ride the exercise bike.
During timeouts he sways back and forth or shakes free.
Anything to stay warm and ready for when his name is called, which is usually midway through the first quarter.
“When I get called into the game, I’m already in the flow and I’m warmed up just like everyone else,” Clarkson said Friday after the Knicks’ 116-107 loss.
Clarkson, 33, has perfected that routine during his career as he embraced his role as top scorer on the bench.
The Knicks realized during their run to the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals that they needed more strength off the bench. Clarkson’s arrival in New York has been mutually beneficial.
Clarkson was coming off consecutive seasons of decline in defense and his offensive efficiency.
But the 33-year-old, now in his first season in New York and 12th overall, is starting to rediscover his groove.
Clarkson is averaging 9.9 points, two rebounds and 1.6 assists in 20 minutes per game.
His points and minutes are career lows.
But his defense and timely shooting were a welcome addition for the Knicks.
Clarkson is shooting 43.9 percent from the field — his best mark since Utah’s 2022-23 season — and 31.2 percent from deep.
“He has accepted that role and also accepted and embraced the defensive side of the ball as he tries to be more physical and disruptive on the defensive end,” Josh Hart said. “So we need him. That’s why he’s here.”
In the NBA Cup Finals, Clarkson contributed 15 points and three threes off the bench.
And two days later, on a night when the Knicks were down five players, including three starters, Clarkson helped New York to a comeback win at Indiana on Thursday, recording 18 points with five threes.
In Friday’s loss to the Sixers, he scored nine points on 4-for-6 shooting in just under 16 minutes.
“Immediate spark. Instant offensive presence, playing really well defensively as well,” Jalen Brunson said of Clarkson. “What [he’s been] what he has been able to do for us so far this season has been amazing and that is exactly who he is. For as long as I’ve known him, that’s the type of person and player he’s brought to his teams, and he’s so happy to be here.”
Clarkson faced a career reckoning ahead of his third season in the NBA.
Then-Lakers coach Luke Walton planned to have Clarkson come off the bench for the 2016-17 season.
Clarkson could have looked at that decision in two ways: a demotion or an opportunity.
Clarkson decided to do the latter and his mark on the league is as a reliable role player.
He has started less than 30 percent of his 780 regular-season games.
But Clarkson is seventh on the all-time NBA scoring list with 8,695 points, according to Statmuse.
He may jump Thurl Bailey (who has 8,695 points) to sixth place this season.
“I just know it’s a team sport. There’s five guys on the field. Everybody brings something to the game,” said Clarkson, whose career earnings are around $190 million, according to Spotrac. “So that’s my way of making an impact on it. It’s blessed me and my family, so I’m just going to keep doing that.”
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