Former Teammate Challenges Knicks' Karl-Anthony Towns

Towns' Rising to the Occasion

The Knicks, now stuck with a target on their back that's even bigger to their oft-overlooked crosstown rival, had to adapt to Brooklyn's tough gameplan, and that defense showed in the slim 93-92 margin for victory.

Defenders like Minott provided him little space away from the basket and laid the hammer on Towns around the rim, but that didn't stop him from the strongest statline of any Knick. He collected 15 boards on six offensive rebounds to pair with his 26 points, nearly half of which were earned with 11 made free throws.

Minott had reason to believe that Towns would fold under the weight of dogged deterrents, having spent a pair of seasons alongside the Minnesota Timberwolves' former franchise fixture before he sudden trade to New York two summers back.

The forward has come into his own as a rotational wing since he, too, departed his first-ever team, already endearing himself to Brooklyn as a nine point per game scorer in 10 games with his newest organization. And he didn't exactly hide how much he wanted to topple one of the east's most dominant powers, either, stating so postgame.

"I wanted that s--- so f----- bad," he elaborated. "I mean, ever since we been here it's like every game's an away game, you know? Tonight was just the night to like really just to stick it to everybody, man. As an organization, as a team just show people that like we got sh*t here. I don't know, man, sea of blue, sea of orange, every game we play sea of the other team. I mean I saw it here when I was on the Celtics. But being here, I got nothing but respect for the real fans, the real Brooklyn fans, like shout out to them. Cause I know it's tough being outnumbered every single game. But like I really feel just like what we have here isn't bullsh-- –– we have pieces here. I seen it. So that's what this rivalry meant to me."

While his Nets are looking to set a foundation for the future, the Knicks have now, and they can thank their hardworking center for their freshest win. With just a few more outings remaining until playoffs tip off, this usually-lopsided matchup answered some lingering questions about how their temperamental star can answer back to a challenge he's dealt with over his decade-plus career.