Karl-Anthony Towns Reflects on Team Dynamics and Friendship with Jalen Brunson

Karl-Anthony Towns had to pause his humor for a moment.

“Did he really say that to Josh?” Towns joked, acknowledging that his friend might be feeling a bit left out. This comment came after he was asked about Jalen Brunson, who had just praised him as both a teammate and a friend in a separate interview.

Brunson, speaking earlier, shared how their relationship has grown over the last couple of years and what he’s come to appreciate about Towns. “He’s a great teammate,” Brunson said, adding, “more importantly, he’s an incredible person. He’s someone who goes out of his way to help others, whether he knows them or not. That’s just his nature, and it shows on the court.”

Brunson’s closest companion on the team is Josh Hart, a friendship that started back at Villanova. They often tease each other publicly, yet their bond with each other and their families is strong. They even host a podcast together.

Interestingly, the three of them, along with Mikal Bridges, form a core known as the Nova Knicks. It’s not common for three players on the same team to share such a long-standing connection.

However, Towns isn’t part of this tight-knit group; he spent just one year at Kentucky and entered the league as a highly touted No. 1 draft pick, drawing significantly more attention than Brunson, Hart, or Bridges ever did. The Knicks had to trade away beloved player Donte DiVincenzo to bring Towns on board.

For a considerable time with the Timberwolves, Towns was the primary option, while Brunson and Hart played supporting roles on their former teams. Both had to adjust to sharing the spotlight now that they are playing together.

“I think our friendship is built on respect,” Towns noted. “We’ve always respected each other as opponents, but now that we are teammates, we really get to see who each other is. We spend more time together than we do with our families. It’s revealing to see how we treat one another and how we react to what people and the media say about us.”

He added that it feels rewarding to earn Brunson’s respect, not just in basketball but as a person. “It means a lot that he values my advice about life,” Towns said.

Both players appreciate knowing each other beyond the public personas shaped by media and fans. Before joining the Knicks, Towns was often labeled as “soft” or questioned about his winning potential. However, from Brunson’s perspective, that portrayal isn’t justly representative.

“Getting to know him, I can say that wasn’t fair,” Brunson reflected. “I truly appreciate everything he brings to this team, this city, and to me as a friend. He’s been fantastic.”