Karl-Anthony Towns might not be scoring as much lately, but he’s definitely contributing in other important aspects. In the Knicks’ match against the Trail Blazers on Friday night at Madison Square Garden, he pulled down 20 rebounds, including six on the offensive end.
In his last two games alone, Towns has managed an impressive total of 42 rebounds, with 13 being offensive boards.
Coach Mike Brown noted, “That’s what great players do. They make an impact in various ways. Having 22 rebounds is significant.” He pointed out that Towns secured a double-double against Toronto and played a crucial role against a team known for its strong rebounding.
Towns has seen a dip in his scoring and efficiency this year compared to last. It’s not uncommon for him to find himself sitting out at the end of games these days.
He’s often plagued by fouls, yet he remains a force on the boards. Plus, he’s adept at finding quick passes after grabbing rebounds, helping push the Knicks into transition plays.
Jalen Brunson praised Towns’ recent rebounding efforts, emphasizing the importance of his contributions even when his scoring isn’t on point. “What he’s doing on the boards has been essential for us,” Brunson said. “He still manages to impact the game, which is really vital for our success.”
On Friday, the Knicks were without Miles McBride again, who has missed a couple of games now due to precautionary measures for a left ankle injury. He had previously missed eight games with a sprained ankle earlier this season.
McBride is averaging 12.9 points per game this season, shooting 43.4% from the floor and 42.0% from beyond the arc. This management of player health represents a shift from the style of former coach Tom Thibodeau.
This change was particularly clear with Mitchell Robinson, who has missed 14 games this season due to load management, along with Brunson, Josh Hart, Towns, and OG Anunoby taking time off for the same reason.
Interestingly, Jordan Clarkson was the only active Knick who did not take the court that night.
Brunson reached a milestone by surpassing 10,000 career points on Friday.
Lastly, Dillon Jones, signed to a two-way contract on January 20, was available for the first time and played the final minutes of the game, even making a 3-pointer.
