New York Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns put to rest lingering rumors about offseason treatments on his left knee and finger, both injuries sustained during last season’s playoff run.
“Whoa, whoa, don’t put any words out there,” Towns told reporters during media day. “No, I did not get any finger surgery or knee surgery. Where did that come from? Who did that? [NBA Centel]?”
The 29-year-old big man heads into his first full training camp with the Knicks since being acquired on the eve of last season in the blockbuster trade that sent Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Adjusting to Change
Towns is no stranger to transitions, including coaching changes. Mike Brown replaces Tom Thibodeau, who also coached Towns in Minnesota, a stint that had its challenges.
That first partnership was far from smooth, but Towns and Thibodeau have buried their hatchet in New York. Still, the Knicks felt a coaching change was needed to unlock the true potential of the roster they built.
Reflecting on his career, Towns emphasized his focus on personal growth and readiness.
“I’ve been used to change in my career,” Towns said. “With previous coaching changes and different situations playing out, this offseason has felt like the same as always: work on myself, get better, and put myself in the best position possible so I can be the best for our fans, my teammates, and my brothers. Just another great offseason at work, and I can’t wait to start playing.”
Building on Last Season
Despite playing behind All-NBA point guard Jalen Brunson, Towns still produced his best numbers since 2021-22. He averaged 24.4 points, 12.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 42% from three-point range. He was also named to the NBA All-Third Team for the second time in his career.
Last season, the Knicks’ offense often relied on a “your turn, my turn” style, which led to predictability in the playoffs, blowing their chance to advance further after reaching the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years. With a full offseason and a new coach at the helm, Towns is optimistic about a more cohesive approach.
“Last year showed us that we could do anything possible with our minds,” Towns said. “We made the sacrifices and showed the world that we are willing to sacrifice for the betterment of the team. I expect nothing less than that this year.”
Looking Ahead
Towns expects continuity and unity to be the keys for the upcoming season. “I feel our team is going to be even more unified,” he said. “We’ll have more continuity—a whole year together, plus all offseason. That’s going to give us a better understanding of each other, and we understand the opportunity that’s in front of us. We just have to go out there every single day, find a way to get better every night, and give our best version to our fans.”
With his health no longer a concern and a full training camp ahead, Towns is poised to thrive under Brown’s system, complementing Brunson and the rest of a deep roster designed to compete at the highest level.
“It’s going to be—it’s gonna be a fun year, man,” Towns said.
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