Karl-Anthony Towns didn’t look slowed at all in Knicks return from knee issue

Karl-Anthony Towns didn’t miss a beat on the glᴀss after a one-game interruption due to a right knee issue.

Towns grabbed 15 more rebounds in Monday’s road win over the Raptors, marking the fourth straight game — and the 10th time already this season — he has totaled at least that many boards.

The four-time All-Star is averaging 25.1 points and a career-best 13.2 rebounds — second in the league behind three-time MVP Nikola Jokic — entering Wednesday’s quarterfinal NBA Cup clash against the Hawks.

“I just try to add value. That’s what I wanted to do is amplify my teammates,” Towns said Monday night. “I felt I’ve done that in my career and I thought I did a great job with teammates I’ve been blessed to play with. I just want to continue that trend and continue that playing style here. Just be the best version I can be for them, not for myself.”

The 7-foot Towns also is connecting on a career-high 44.7 percent from 3-point range, including a game-sealing triple in the closing seconds against the Raptors.

New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) pulls down a rebound during the first half at Madison Square Garden, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in New York, NY.

Josh Hart is listed on the Knicks’ injury report for Wednesday as questionable with a sprained left ankle. Towns (knee) is probable.

Bogdan Bogdanovic (quad) and Jalen Johnson (shoulder) are questionable for the Hawks.

Trae Young (Achilles) and DeAndre Hunter (knee) are probable.

It’s obviously a small sample size, but the Knicks have a whopping 25.6 net rating in Precious Achiuwa’s 56 minutes over three games since he returned from a preseason hamstring injury.

Their offensive rating (points per 100 possessions) in those minutes is 129.8, and their defensive rating is 104.2 with Achiuwa on the floor.

Achiuwa contributed seven points, six rebounds and two blocked sH๏τs in 16 minutes against the Raptors, who traded him to the Knicks with OG Anunoby last season.

Achiuwa was the only frontcourt player used off the bench by Tom Thibodeau, with Jericho Sims completely out of the rotation for the first time this season.

When asked in Toronto if it’s hard to find a balance between his intense reputation and his relationship with the players, Thibodeau quipped, “Hard? I give them hugs every day.

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