Mike Brown chooses other in-form Knicks players instead of Karl-Anthony Towns

Knicks Secure Victory Without Towns

PORTLAND, Ore. — The Knicks sealed their win with their star player sidelined.

Karl-Anthony Towns stepped onto the court with just under 10 minutes remaining but spent the rest of the game on the bench during Sunday’s 123-114 victory over the Blazers. Coach Mike Brown mentioned afterward that the team was finding their rhythm.

“We typically finish with Towns on the court. He usually plays down the stretch,” Brown noted. “But we were really clicking. If I see the group is running effectively, I’ll opt to keep them out there unless it impacts a key player significantly. The team was on a roll, so I let them be.”

Interestingly, the Knicks outperformed the Blazers 31-20 in the final 9 ½ minutes without Towns. Brown decided to either start Mitchell Robinson at center or utilize a smaller lineup, which included Miles McBride along with Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, and Mikal Bridges.

Towns contributed 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in 28 minutes before sitting out the finish.

Prior to the game, Brown emphasized the need for both him and Towns to find common ground as they continue to navigate their partnership, which has had its ups and downs. Towns has often expressed struggles with adapting to Brown’s system.

“I’ve mentioned before that adapting isn’t really in KAT’s nature,” Brown said. “He’s facing the toughest adjustment because he’s learning the most, but I also need to simplify things for him. It’s crucial for me to put him in the right position and support him in every way I can.”

Brown was also impressed by the 49ers’ win against the Eagles in the NFC Wild Card Game that same day. His son Cameron is a coach on the 49ers’ staff.

“Congrats to all the Niners fans. That was a solid win in Philly,” he said in his postgame remarks. “My parents are from Philadelphia, but my loyalty leans toward the Niners thanks to my son. Go Niners!”

However, some Knicks players, including Brunson, Towns, and McBride, might not share his enthusiasm as they are all Eagles supporters.

In a related note, Tyler Kolek found himself out of the rotation, not seeing any minutes following Hart’s return from an eight-game absence due to an ankle sprain. This marked Kolek’s first DNP since November 19.