Wednesday night was a showcase for Karl-Anthony Towns, who notched his second triple-double with the New York Knicks, tallying 20 points, 11 assists, and 11 rebounds in a 130-119 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. This performance was particularly notable with Jalen Brunson sidelined due to an ankle injury, reigniting chatter about Towns' impact when his All-Star teammate isn't on the court.
This season has been a rollercoaster for Towns, with his averages dipping to the second-lowest points per game (20.1) and third-lowest three-point percentage (36.8) of his 11-year career. As the playoffs loom and expectations soar, fans and analysts are eager to understand the root of the Knicks' second option's struggles.
Blaming Brunson, however, doesn't hold water. The evidence goes beyond basic stats.
Jalen Brunson isn't the root of the Knicks' issues
Towns has played seven games without Brunson this season, averaging 26.1 points and 13.1 rebounds in those contests. On the surface, it seems he's thriving as the primary option.
Yet, his shooting efficiency tells a different story-48.5% from the field, slightly below his season average, and 36.9% from beyond the arc, mirroring his usual performance. The Knicks' record without Brunson?
A lackluster 3-4, with only one victory over a playoff-bound team.
Since Towns joined the Knicks in 2022, the team has a solid 175-105 record with Brunson. Without him, they're a mere 22-21, and 12-10 with Towns available. There's a case to be made about the stylistic clash between Brunson and Towns, but pointing fingers at Towns for the team's woes isn't the answer.
Ultimately, it's on Coach Mike Brown to find the right formula for these two stars to shine together as the playoffs approach.