Karl-Anthony

Towns

Towns didn’t do much scoring on Sunday, but his ability to use mismatches to his advantage was critical. The Spurs put a smaller defender on KAT for most of the game, having Victor Wembanyama guard Josh Hart to allow him to take on a “center field” role. Towns may not have punished the Spurs as a scorer as often as possible, but he did grab five offensive rebounds and help extend a few other positions through his hustle. While fantasy managers would have hoped for a more robust stat line from Towns, he deserves praise for his role in Saturday’s victory.

Towns recorded another double-double on Friday. While the Knicks center did not have a prolific night offensively, the team’s ball movement ensured that everyone was taken care of offensively. Seven Knicks scored in double figures as the team won by a 127-98 final score. Towns should face far greater resistance on Sunday when the Knicks host the Spurs in their final game of Week 18.

The good news for fantasy managers is that Towns didn’t miss a shot from the field. However, he attempted only five shots and matched that with five turnovers. Give Cleveland credit for its work on the defensive end, but this was a disappointing effort from KAT. While Towns has probably been too much of a lightning rod this season, there are still nights when he puts forth maddening performances like the one he produced in Cleveland. He and the Knicks will look to bounce back on Friday in Milwaukee.

For the second straight night, Towns picked up the slack offensively when some of his Knicks teammates could not get going offensively. Having scored at least 21 points in five straight, KAT’s 28 on Sunday were the most in a game for him since he dropped 37 on the Hawks on December 27. The Knicks play three games in Week 18, starting with a critical matchup with the new-look Cavaliers on Tuesday.

On a night when Jalen Brunson didn’t get going offensively until the fourth quarter, Towns shot 7-of-10 from the field in the first three quarters. KAT was more engaged from the start than he was in Thursday’s loss to the Pistons, a welcome step forward for the 7-footer. Sunday’s matchup with the Bulls should be a good one for Towns and those who have him rostered, but only if he’s aggressive from the start.

Towns put up another double-double on Thursday, but he was unable to grab control of the paint in a game that the Pistons played without Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart due to suspension. KAT attempted only three shots in the first half, and while he was more involved offensively in the second half, the lackluster defense proved problematic. Towns and the Knicks will look to bounce back in games against the Rockets (Saturday) and Bulls (Sunday) to end Week 17.

While Towns finished Tuesday’s overtime loss to the Pacers with a double-double, he was far more assertive on Wednesday. The Knicks’ improved ball movement may have been a factor, but the 7-footer deserves credit for the approach he took on both ends of the floor. That set the tone in what would be a 138-89 win, an excellent way for the Knicks to go into the All-Star break. Next up for Towns is an appearance in Sunday’s All-Star Game, where he’ll represent Team World.

Limited to 11 points in Sunday’s win over the Celtics, Towns doubled that tally on Tuesday while recording his 36th double-double of the season. Unfortunately for the Knicks, he wasn’t around for the latter stages of overtime, having fouled out with 2:14 remaining in the extra session. Indiana scored the first nine points of overtime, pushing their road record on the season to 4-22. Wednesday’s game against the Knicks is far more important to Towns and the Knicks, who need a win to avoid losing the season series. And they’ll need KAT to stay on the floor, especially if Joel Embiid plays.

Towns is back in the Knicks’ starting lineup after a one-game absence, pushing Mitchell Robinson to the bench. The other change to the lineup is Shamet, who replaces Mohamed Diawara. This is the second consecutive game that the Knicks will be without OG Anunoby (toe).

Towns did not play in Friday’s loss to the Pistons, having suffered a laceration above his right eye during Wednesday’s win over the Nuggets. His return could push Mitchell Robinson to the bench. However, with Boston having started Luka Garza and Neemias Queta the last two games, the Knicks could choose to go big. In that case, Mohamed Diawara would head to the bench.