The Knicks will see a lot of their revamped rivals in the next month.
Counting two preseason matchups, Knicks-Celtics will happen four times by Nov. 13.
The first is Monday at MSG, and Jalen Brunson understands the addition of Jrue Holiday makes Boston even more daunting.
“That’s a big get,” the Knicks point guard said. “He’s obviously a great player, and the things he’s able to do on both sides of the ball is going to help them as a team. He’s a great guy. Over the years getting to know him, playing against him, he’s a guy in this league that everyone has great things to say about.
“Boston got a really big piece and so that’s something we have to look out for.”
The availability of Holiday and other regular starters Monday — particularly for the Celtics — is hardly a given. Boston is arriving at MSG for the second game of a back-to-back after facing the Sixers on Sunday night. It’s a weird schedule for the preseason, which only includes four games per team and typically doesn’t involve back-to-backs.
The Knicks also have a back-to-back set to end the preseason. Tom Thibodeau said he’s using regular starters in three of the four contests but fans aren’t likely to see them play heavy minutes Monday.
“The last [preseason game] will be closer to the normal rotation,” Thibodeau said.
It should be the Knicks debut of Donte DiVincenzo, who signed a $50 million deal and will be a backup guard. He’s not really embracing his nicknames “The Big Ragu” and “The White Michael Jordan” — “I just go by Donte,” he said — but won’t protest the monikers.
“Whatever y’all want to call me, cool,” he said. “I’m cool with it.”
The Knicks also face the Celtics in the regular-season opener Oct. 25.
After falling in the Eastern Conference finals last season, Boston team president Brad Stevens acquired Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis for a title run.