New York Knicks center Andre Drummond emerged as a key contributor despite the team’s 106-100 season-opening loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden. While the Knicks celebrated their recent championship by raising a banner and distributing rings, Drummond remained in the locker room, expressing a desire to earn his place before joining the festivities.

“I feel like I gotta earn it,” Drummond said, underscoring his status as the only newcomer among the 10 Knicks who played. Tasked with filling the void left by Mitchell Robinson—a longtime fan favorite who departed via free agency to the Boston Celtics—Drummond acknowledged the challenge of integrating into a team with established chemistry.

However, Drummond quickly made his presence felt on the court. Against his former team, the 76ers, he posted 12 points, 14 rebounds (including seven offensive boards), and four assists. His first-half performance was particularly notable, as he achieved a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds—a feat he did not accomplish in a single half last season. Fans at MSG responded enthusiastically, chanting “An-dre Drumm-ond” in recognition of his impact.

“It was pretty surreal,” Drummond said of the crowd’s reaction. “Just the energy of the arena, just because of how hard I was working, how hard I was playing… I got chills. Something you live for as a player, hearing the fans be behind you.”

Drummond logged 16 minutes in the first half compared to just six for fellow center Karl-Anthony Towns, who battled early foul trouble, a recurring issue for the player last season. Coach Mike Brown acknowledged Drummond’s energetic first-half showing but noted that extended minutes may have contributed to a drop in production in the second half.

“I thought he played with a lot of bounce, energy, in the first half on both ends of the floor,” Brown said. “We probably ran him too long because it looked like in the second half… he ran out of a little bit of gas. I gotta keep getting to know him to see where the minutes may lie for him to be effective. But I thought he was really, really, really good in the first half.”

The coach emphasized that determining Drummond’s optimal role and minutes will be an evolving process throughout the season. While Drummond shares Robinson’s reputation as a strong rebounder, Brown noted differences in their defensive capabilities and offensive versatility. Unlike Robinson, Drummond is considered less of a rim protector but offers greater threat handling the ball in the post.

Drummond described his relationship with Brown as collaborative, calling the balancing act of meeting coaching expectations while leveraging his own experience “fun.”

“Obviously, yes, he’s still trying to get to know me and vice versa,” Drummond said. “I think we surprise each other on a daily basis on the different things that I’m capable of doing as a player… It’s like a tug-and-pull every time we step on the floor with each other.”

A native of Mount Vernon, New York, Drummond expressed comfort with his integration into the Knicks, praising the team’s core and the welcoming environment.

“This is a great team,” he said. “They’ve done a great job of incorporating me into the group and making me feel like I’m one of them.”

Having earned recognition from fans and coaches alike, Drummond is quickly establishing himself as an important component of the Knicks’ revamped lineup.