Karl-Anthony Towns Needs to Step Up - Now More Than Ever
Back in November, there were real concerns about Karl-Anthony Towns’ slow start to the season. His offensive rhythm was off, the numbers were down, and the impact just wasn’t there.
Then, right before Thanksgiving, he erupted for 37 points and 12 boards against Brooklyn, and things started trending upward. Crisis averted - or so it seemed.
Fast forward two months, and we’re right back at the same crossroads.
The Knicks, after a strong 23-9 start, have now dropped six of their last eight. The losses haven’t followed a single pattern - they’ve come in gritty shootouts like the one in Phoenix, in flat-out no-shows like the Detroit loss, and in games that defy explanation, like what we saw last night in Sacramento.
Let’s be clear: the Knicks had chances in this one. They were ice-cold from deep, starting 1-for-20 from three, yet still only trailed by 14 at the half.
Even without Jalen Brunson, who exited early with an ankle injury, they had opportunities. If they’d simply hit 30% of their threes - still well below their season average - they could’ve been in control.
But they didn’t, and the bigger issue was the lack of energy and execution on both ends of the floor.
Sacramento didn’t exactly light the world on fire - they’re one of the league’s worst offenses right now - but they didn’t have to. The Knicks never really threatened after Brunson left the game. Outside of a brief garbage-time push, the margin stayed in double digits.
This wasn’t just about missed shots. It was about effort.
And when your star point guard, the guy who’s been the engine of your offense and a borderline MVP candidate, goes down, someone else has to take the reins. That someone has to be Karl-Anthony Towns.
But in the second half, Towns was a non-factor. Zero points.
Three shot attempts. Four fouls.
He got outworked by Precious Achiuwa - his former backup - and offered little resistance in the paint. The Kings, who typically struggle to score inside, were getting whatever they wanted in the lane.
That can’t happen.
The most telling moment came late in the first half, when the Knicks were trying to dig out of a 20-point hole. The defense had started to tighten up, but the offense remained stagnant.
And in a crucial possession, Towns looked completely out of sync - unsure of where to go, what to do, or how to impact the game. That kind of confusion from a player of his caliber is hard to watch.
Let’s zoom in on Towns for a second.
Yes, shooting numbers fluctuate - that’s part of the game. But effort?
That should be a constant. And right now, it’s not.
Towns doesn’t look comfortable in Mike Brown’s system. That’s clear.
But discomfort with a scheme doesn’t excuse the lapses in focus and energy. The Knicks haven’t done him many favors - they’re not putting him in ideal spots to maximize his skill set - but even so, the decision-making has been puzzling.
There have been too many forced drives, unnecessary offensive fouls, and head-scratching turnovers.
When the Knicks’ offense is humming, it’s built around drive-and-kick action. Attack the rim, collapse the defense, and spray it out to shooters.
But lately, that rhythm has disappeared. And when Towns tries to drive from the perimeter, it rarely ends in a clean look.
Whether it’s weak finishes, uncalled fouls, or simply losing the ball, the results haven’t been there.
It’s starting to feel mental. The struggles, the lack of calls, the weight of expectations - it’s all piling up. And it’s bleeding into the rest of the team.
Statistically, this might be the worst month of Towns’ career. He’s shooting just 42.1% from the field and 5-for-20 from deep in January. His season-long three-point percentage has dipped to 35.3% - a steep drop from last year, especially in a system that was supposed to highlight his shooting.
We don’t yet know how long Brunson will be out. But if the injury lingers, the offensive burden is going to fall squarely on Towns’ shoulders. And right now, he doesn’t look ready to carry it.
This is the moment where stars rise. The Knicks don’t need Towns to be perfect - they need him to be present, aggressive, and engaged. They need him to lead.
Because if he doesn’t, things could spiral fast.