Andre Drummond was benched and said he didn’t get an clarification. 

“Control what I can control. I can’t do s–t about not playing,” the heart said. “All I can do is cheer my teammates on and hope for the best.” 

About halfway through the second quarter, Drummond was caught jogging back on protection and was crushed in transition by Orlando heart Wendell Carter Jr., main to an open layup for the Magic in their 111-102 win Sunday at the Garden. 

New York Knicks heart Andre Drummond (0) defends under the basket during the first quarter of an NBA basketball sport against the Orlando Magic at Madison Square Garden in New York, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. Jason Szenes for NY Post

Brown called a timeout and subbed out Drummond for good. The backup heart minutes then went to James Wiseman, who struggled while capturing 0-for-5. 

Drummond said he didn’t know why he was pulled — “You can make the guess for me” — and added that he’s “probably not” owed an clarification. 

The 33-year-old veteran, who was signed in the summer season to substitute Mitchell Robinson, also performed sparingly in Friday’s loss to the Celtics. 

Brown said Drummond will stay the first backup in Tuesday’s sport against the Pistons. 

“I felt our transition defense wasn’t good during that time, not just because of [Drummond], but I wanted to go with a change,” Brown said. “Wiseman’s been playing well in practice. I wanted to give him an opportunity and I thought he was pretty good in his first stint [in the first half]. And so I decided to go with him for a second stint. But Andre will go out there as a backup in the next game.” 

Before Sunday’s loss, Brown warned that all the reserve spots are up for grabs. 

“First thing I wanna make clear is we have our starting five. Other than that, anybody can play,” Brown said. “When you’re a backup in this league, that doesn’t imply you’re always gonna be the seventh man or you’re always gonna be the eighth man. 

New York Knicks heart James Wiseman (35) pulls down a rebound during the second quarter of an NBA basketball sport against the Orlando Magic at Madison Square Garden in New York, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. Jason Szenes for NY Post

“No, no, no, no, no, no. It’s competitive. And it’s less so with the starting group if your starting group is established, which ours is, but everybody else after that starting five, I can throw in front of the next guy in a heartbeat.” 

Jose Alvarado sat out Sunday’s sport with an ankle sprain. Tyler Kolek performed quarter-hour in his spot and went scoreless with 9 assists. 

The finish of the evening also turned somber when Jalen Suggs, the Magic’s place to begin guard, appeared to undergo a important knee damage while driving to the basket. His leg buckled and he collapsed in ache, as teammates huddled around.