Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Karl-Anthony Towns Sends Message After Knicks' Win Against Cavaliers

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Josh Valdez | Last updated Oct 23, 2025 5:00 AM ET

After years of building a contender under former head coach Tom Thibodeau, the New York Knicks are equipped to win the Eastern Conference with first-year head coach Mike Brown. Big man Karl-Anthony Towns, whom the team acquired days before 2024-25 training camp, is a key pillar of the program.

The 29-year-old helped New York reach its first Conference Finals since 2000 last season, as he finished 12th in the NBA with 24.4 points per game, 19th with a 52.6 field-goal percentage (42 percent 3-point), and second with 12.8 rebounds over 72 regular-season games before averaging 21.4 points and 11.6 rebounds in 18 playoff contests. He started the 2025-26 campaign with a productive outing against the fellow East heavyweight Cleveland Cavaliers, but it didn't come easy.

Towns admitted postgame that he played through an injury, via SNY.

New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown and center/forward Karl-Anthony Towns (32) John Jones-Imagn Images

"I've been banged up. I haven't gotten a chance to practice or play in those last two preseason games, but I didn't wanna disappoint the fans," the three-time All-NBA honoree said. "Dealing with a Grade 2 quad strain, it's not something that's easy to deal with. We made it happen tonight, and I'm glad the fans respected the effort I put in to play tonight. My teammates really did too, so shout out to them..."

Towns' status changed from "questionable" to "doubtful" and back to "questionable" before he ultimately played on Wednesday, per SNY's Ian Begley. The five-time All-Star finished with 19 points (5-12 FG, 1-4 3-point) with 11 rebounds and two assists over 31 minutes in the 119-111 win.

Karl-Anthony Towns says he's playing through a Grade 2 quad strain and "it was hurting"

"I didn't want to disappoint the fans. It's not something that's easy to deal with. We made it happen tonight, I'm glad the fans respected the effort I put in to play tonight" pic.twitter.com/mfzIup8QyA
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) October 23, 2025

Karl-Anthony Towns Earned Rest Time

Towns was an essential contributor in New York's opening-night victory at Madison Square Garden against a potential Conference Finals opponent. However, it would be smarter for the veteran to rest for the next few contests to avoid a setback, especially if guard Josh Hart (back) and center Mitchell Robinson (load management) return next game.

The latter two players sat on Wednesday, but are estimated to return on Friday against the Boston Celtics, via the ESPN injury report. Adding them back to the lineup would ease the blow of temporarily losing Towns, as Hart nearly averaged a double-double last season and Robinson averages 3.7 offensive rebounds per game in his career. That average would've been tied for fourth in the league last season, via NBA.com.

Friday's game will start at 7:30 p.m. ET on Amazon Prime Video. The contest will be played at Madison Square Garden.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: