How Did KAT Overtake Nikola Jokic?

Towns finished Sunday with 22 points and 22 rebounds, topping the Magic for the Eastern Conference's third seed. The Knicks star center leaped Jokic in two statistical categories. 

The dominant outing places the Knicks center in premature NBA MVP candidate discourse. Orlando ranks third in defensive rating but couldn't keep Towns off the board. 

Towns' supremacy on the boards launched the Knicks center over Jokic as the NBA's leader in rebounds at 13.9 per game. Moreover, TownS increases the competition with Jokic, as the former center has more 20-point, 15-rebound games than the latter. For the 2024-25 season, Towns has eight such games.

Although Towns is more known for his long-range shooting, his 2024-25 campaign proves he's tougher than his reputation suggests. As Knicks center Mitchell Robinson recovers from ankle surgery, Towns is the only option as a rim deterrent and a high-volume rebound grabber. 

Jalen Brunson is the Knicks team captain, but Towns is the one physically steering the ship and keeping enemies at bay with his elite rebounding and aggressive offense. 

It's easy to listen to stereotypes of Towns and make light of his shortcomings as a player, but the numbers speak for themselves, especially given Towns' overtaking Jokic regarding rebounds. Towns belongs in the conversation for one of the best players of the 2024-25 season.