Karl-Anthony Towns was coached by Tom Thibodeau for 2¹/₂ seasons early in his NBA career in Minnesota, but they didn't always see eye to eye on the young big man's development.
Even before reuniting with the Knicks, Towns said any issues between them had already been “squashed” and “ended years ago.”
Towns, 29, said after Wednesday's win over the Jazz that Thibodeau is a “different person” now and calmer than he was with the Timberwolves 10 years ago, adding, “I like this version going into 2025. ” he added.
“You've seen him smile, and I'll keep it that way,” Towns said before Friday's game in Oklahoma City after scoring 31 points and grabbing 21 rebounds in the Knicks' nine-game winning streak. Ta. “I think we all grow in life. We've grown since we were together in Minnesota. He's grown. We all find ourselves in this game of life and always… I think it’s just getting better.”
Towns averaged 23.2 points and 14.6 rebounds on 56.6 percent shooting in 13 games and was named Eastern Conference Player of the Month for December. In the West, OKC's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (33.3 ppg) won the award.
Towns became the first Knick player since Patrick Ewing (1989-90) to have multiple games with at least 30 points and 20 rebounds in the same season.
Jalen Brunson (right calf strain) and Miles McBride (left hamstring strain), who missed Wednesday's game, are listed as questionable.
Pacome Dadiet and Ariel Hakpolti They were assigned to Westchester of the G League, but rookie Tyler Kolek was not assigned in case he was required to play.
Initial results of All-Star voting have Towns ranked third in the Eastern Conference frontcourt behind Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jayson Tatum, which puts Towns in the starting lineup for Feb. 16 at San Francisco's Chase Center. The event will be on track for the upcoming showcase event.
Brunson ranks fourth among guards in the East behind LaMelo Ball, Donovan Mitchell and Damian Lillard.
Towns on Korek played 40 minutes in a G League game on Wednesday and came off the bench for 12 minutes against the Knicks later that night. He played a lot of minutes today. he deserves a break. It goes back to AAU. … I've done it before, but I've never played a doubleheader in one day in the NBA. So give him a big shout out. ”
