Karl-Anthony Towns explains the reasons for the decline in production
Karl-Anthony Towns believes his struggles this season stem in large part from adjusting to New York Knicks‘ offensive system. He said the transition was harder than expected and that it affected his rhythm on the field.
More than two months into the season, Towns admitted he’s learned head coach Mike Brown’s approach it took time. His comments have arrived after another quiet performance against the Detroit Pistons on Monday, resulting in New York’s 121-90 loss.
“Different system,” Towns said. “It’s just different.”
In Minnesota, Karl-Anthony Towns was a central part of the Timberwolves’ offense, especially because of his ability to score inside and stretch the floor. Over time, especially with the emergence of Anthony Edwards, the offense became more fragmented.
With the Knicks, Towns plays in a more structured system that emphasizes quick reads and ball movement, resulting in fewer touches on demand and less freedom to create compared to some of his seasons in Minnesota.
“The biggest adjustment is for me. Like Mike said, I’m making the biggest sacrifice,” Towns said. “We understand. We have a long flight, training tomorrow, we have to sit down and figure out who we are and how we want to get back on track.”
After a recent poor outing, the 30-year-old is now averaging 21.5 points per game while shooting 47 percent from the field and 35.6 percent from three-point range. Those numbers are down from last season, when he scored 24.4 points per game on 52.6 percent shooting and 42 percent from deep.
Despite that, Towns wasn’t the least effective starter for New York in a recent game. That distinction belonged to OG Anunobi, whose hopes to earn his first All-Star selection continue to fade. Anunoby finished with just five points, and the Knicks were outscored by 31 points during his 29 minutes on the floor.
As the season continues, attention will remain on whether Towns can translate his explanation into results on the floor. His ability to adapt could play a big role in shaping the Knicks’ success moving forward.
2026-01-06 16:57:00
