This season, there has been quite a bit of chatter about the Knicks possibly needing Karl-Anthony Towns. But maybe the actual need isn’t there after all.
Heading into Tuesday’s matchup against the Pacers at Madison Square Garden, the Knicks were on a roll, winning nine out of their last ten games. Interestingly, Towns’ role in the team seems to have diminished during this stretch. Despite his decreased involvement, the Knicks performed exceptionally well on both offense and defense.
Towns shifted from being the Knicks’ clear No. 2 option behind Jalen Brunson to more of a rebounder and perimeter scorer. Unfortunately, his defensive weaknesses led to him being benched during key moments in games. He missed one game but managed to contribute to the team’s impressive 9-0 record in the games he did play.
His minutes dropped to an average of 27.2, with just 14.2 points per game, which is significantly lower than his season averages of 31.4 minutes and 19.7 points. On a brighter note, his rebounding saw an increase to 13.0 rebounds per game, up from 11.9, marking a season-high for Eastern Conference players.
Interestingly, he averaged only 11.0 shots per game during this period, compared to 14.0 for the season. Yet, that didn’t translate to better efficiency; he shot 44.4 percent from the field and 32.3 percent from three-point range, down from his season averages of 46.3 percent and 35.3 percent, respectively. His playmaking didn’t see a significant boost either, averaging 2.4 assists compared to 2.9 overall this season. It seems he took a step back on offense while redirecting his focus to rebounding.
Coach Mike Brown noted that Towns could greatly impact the game. He pointed to a recent game in Boston as Towns’ best display, highlighting how effective he can be when he moves well. Brown indicated that Towns’ presence draws defensive attention, which can be beneficial for the team.
During this stretch, Towns found himself as the fourth leading scorer, trailing Brunson, OG Anunoby, and Mikal Bridges. The results of the Knicks’ performance speak for themselves—their offensive rating of 117.5 was among the best in the league, alongside an impressive defensive rating of 110.8.
It’s worth noting that some of Towns’ reduced minutes may be due to regular foul trouble. Additionally, there appears to be a shift in his offensive approach, particularly later in games. Brown seems to favor Mitchell Robinson for his defensive prowess in critical moments.
In fact, during the Knicks’ victory over the Kings, Towns remained on the bench for the last 6:51 of the game. In the eight games that Robinson participated in, he averaged 21.3 minutes per game, an increase from his season average of 19.8 minutes.
So, while Towns seems to be less involved at the moment, whether this strategy will be effective during the playoffs—or if the Knicks will need a more offensively engaged Towns—remains an open question. Plus, it will be interesting to see how Towns feels about his current role moving forward.
