Karl-Anthony Towns has not reached 20 points in his last five games and is frustrated with trade rumors surrounding him, as well as the coaching style that doesn’t fit his play.
However, instead of dwelling on his situation, Towns focused on rebounding. He grabbed 20 boards during a 127-97 victory against the Portland Trail Blazers. This marks the New York Knicks’ fifth consecutive win and Towns’ second game in a row with over 20 rebounds.
Karl-Anthony Towns is staying focused despite trade rumors
Feelings were hurt when the Knicks offered Towns to the Milwaukee Bucks as part of a deal for Giannis Antetokounmpo. With recent speculation about Antetokounmpo’s availability, those old feelings have resurfaced.
This comes less than a year after the Minnesota Timberwolves traded Towns to the Knicks following a surprising run to the Western Conference Finals in 2024. Towns bounced back with an All-Star season, averaging 24.4 points and 12.8 rebounds as the Knicks progressed to the conference finals.
Under new head coach Mike Brown, Towns is getting fewer opportunities, averaging 20 points on three fewer shot attempts. Still, he leads the NBA in rebounds, with 20 on Friday, 22 on Wednesday, and an average of 11.8 per game this season.
Although Towns shot 5-for-12 from the field, he had only one foul and no turnovers, while also contributing three assists. Despite the trade talks, he continues to be a dedicated team player.