Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks
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Karl-Anthony Towns of the New York Knicks reacts after an apparent injury during the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets.
The New York Knicks are preparing to be without Karl-Anthony Towns on Friday night, with the All-Star center downgraded to doubtful for a marquee road matchup against the Eastern Conference’s top seed, the Detroit Pistons.
Towns is dealing with an eye laceration suffered during New York’s 134–127 double-overtime win over the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden.
The stakes are significant. The Knicks enter Detroit riding an eight-game winning streak and holding the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, 4.5 games behind the Pistons. Friday’s game represents both a test of New York’s depth and a chance to close ground atop the East.
Eye Injury Occurred Early, Towns Returned After Stitches
Towns suffered the injury late in the first quarter when he drove to the rim and collided heads with Nuggets forward Spencer Jones. Towns’ right eye was bloodied on the play after being fouled, while Jones exited shortly thereafter and did not return, later entering concussion protocol.
Despite the severity of the cut, Towns remained on the floor long enough to convert both free throws before heading to the locker room. He received several stitches and returned with 3:11 remaining in the second quarter, wearing a bandage above his eye.
He made an immediate impact.
Towns scored seven straight points, grabbed a rebound and fired a long outlet pass to OG Anunoby for a breakaway dunk that punctuated a Knicks’ 9-0 run.
“I ain’t really know how bad it was,” Towns said after the game. “But I realized how much I was bleeding. Tim Hardaway Jr. was looking at me like, ‘Ooh.’ It was pretty significant.”
Towns finished with 24 points on 9-of-13 shooting and 12 rebounds before fouling out near the end of the first overtime.
Knicks Weigh Health as Schedule Tightens
New York now faces a difficult calculus as it balances health with momentum.
With Towns unlikely to play Friday, the Knicks may be forced to rely on Mitchell Robinson, who averages 8.4 rebounds, 3.7 points, 1.1 assists and 1.1 blocks when he starts this season, as they attempt to extend their winning streak against the conference leaders.
“We just have to get the job done,” Towns said. “This is a great team out there, and this is a game we all knew we wanted to keep the momentum going.”
The victory over Denver underscored New York’s resilience — but also highlighted how thin the margin has become as injuries mount.
Knicks Add Jose Alvarado After McBride Injury News
The concerns did not stop with Towns.
Earlier Thursday, Fred Katz of The Athletic reported that Knicks guard Miles McBride is expected to undergo surgery Friday to address a core muscle injury (sports hernia) and could be sidelined until the playoffs, citing league sources.
The news landed as a significant blow to a backcourt already under strain.
Minutes later, the Knicks’ response came into focus.
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, New York acquired guard Jose Alvarado from the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for Dalen Terry, two second-round picks, and cash considerations.
How Guerschon Yabusele Helped Unlock the Deal
The Alvarado trade required behind-the-scenes cooperation.
According to Ian Begley of SNY, forward Guerschon Yabusele agreed to amend the second year of his contract by declining his player option, allowing him to be moved to the Chicago Bulls and unlocking a multi-step trade sequence.
“If Guerschon Yabusele didn’t work with the Knicks to amend his contract and decline the player option, it’s safe to say the trade with Chicago doesn’t happen,” Begley reported. “And if that trade doesn’t happen, it would have been more difficult for NYK to land Jose Alvarado.”
As the Knicks chase the East’s top seed, Friday’s game will test whether their depth — and momentum — can hold without one of their most important pieces.