Getty
Karl-Anthony Towns of the New York Knicks walks off the court after an injury during the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets.
The New York Knicks are in the middle of a strong run. A 145-113 blowout victory over the Washington Wizards on Sunday night made it six straight wins, and Karl-Anthony Towns was at the centre of it again. He finished with 26 points and 16 rebounds as New York shot 58.5% from the floor and 53% from three-point range in a dominant performance.
But it was not Towns’ offensive output that caught the attention of head coach Mike Brown after the game.
It was his defence.
Brown Highlights Towns’ Defensive Improvement
GettyKarl-Anthony Towns of the New York Knicks.
Towns has never been celebrated for his work on the defensive end. Throughout his career in Minnesota, his reputation was built almost entirely on his offensive versatility, and his defence was often viewed as the weakest part of his game. The move to New York under Brown has come with different expectations, and Towns has been working to meet them.
Brown was asked about Towns’ individual defensive performance after Sunday’s win and offered praise that does not come easily from the Knicks’ head coach.
“I think he’s been pretty good defensively,” Brown said. “If you’re talking about it individually, leading to the hole, it’s been pretty good overall.”
Brown was careful not to let the compliment run too far, however. He followed it up with a note about the broader picture. “We as a team, our communication has to be a little bit better overall. Not just KAT, but all of our guys can get better at communicating.”
The distinction mattered. Towns is doing his part. The team around him still has work to do.
What Has Changed for Towns This Season
The adjustment to life under Brown has not been straightforward. Last season under Tom Thibodeau, Towns operated as a featured offensive weapon, at times sharing the load in a near-equal partnership with Jalen Brunson. This season, the hierarchy is clearer. Brunson is the unquestioned leader of the offence, and Towns has had to find his value in other areas.
He has responded. The reduction in personal fouls is one of the clearest signs of a more disciplined defensive approach. His pick-and-roll coverage has improved. His willingness to switch and stay in front of guards has given Brown options he did not have earlier in the season.
The Knicks already have capable defenders on their roster. A locked-in Towns on that end makes them a considerably more difficult team to score against.
What the Win Looked Like for the Knicks
Sunday’s victory was comprehensive from start to finish. The Knicks led 68-52 at halftime before shooting nearly 62% in the second half and pulling away by 33 points in the fourth quarter. Brunson added 23 points. Josh Hart hit all three of his three-point attempts and finished with 16. Mikal Bridges contributed 14 points and six assists. Mitchell Robinson came off the bench to shoot a perfect 5-of-5 from the field, finishing with 10 points and 10 rebounds in just 17 minutes.
Tyler Kolek also caught the eye, going 4-of-4 from the field including three three-pointers for 11 points in just five and a half minutes — having already scored 42 points for the Knicks’ G League affiliate earlier in the day.
Washington, without forward Justin Champagnie who was suspended one game for fighting, fell to their 16th straight defeat. The Knicks have now beaten the Wizards 12 consecutive times.
Final Word for the Knicks
Six straight wins. Towns earning rare defensive praise from his head coach. The offence firing at will.
Brown wants better communication across the board, and he is right to push for it. But the direction this team is heading is hard to argue with.
Towns is evolving. The Knicks are winning. Both things are happening at the same time.
Keith Watkins Keith Watkins is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers. He previously wrote for FanSided, NBA Analysis Network, and Last Word On Sports. Keith is based in Bangkok, Thailand. More about Keith Watkins
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