Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks
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Karl-Anthony Towns of the New York Knicks reacts to shooting a basket during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets.
The New York Knicks know the Eastern Conference playoff race is tightening — especially with Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum returning from injury.
But Karl-Anthony Towns insists the Knicks are not concerned about who Boston puts on the floor.
“I mean, it doesn’t matter to me because at the end of the day, if we’re not executing and playing at a high level and being disciplined, it doesn’t matter who’s on the court,” Towns said, according to Newsday’s Steve Popper.
“We’ll lose. We’ve got to be our best version. You can’t be worrying about anyone else. We need to worry about what’s in the house first.”
Jayson Tatum’s Return Reshapes Eastern Conference Playoff Race
Tatum made his highly anticipated return Friday against the Dallas Mavericks after recovering from a torn Achilles tendon suffered during last year’s playoff series against the Knicks.
The timeline of his comeback has been remarkable.
Tatum returned less than 300 days after the injury, making it the third-fastest return from an Achilles tear in recent NBA history.
Only two players have returned faster in modern times — Kobe Bryant (240 days) and Chauncey Billups (296 days).
Boston welcomed Tatum back while sitting second in the Eastern Conference at 41–21, holding a 1.5-game lead over the third-place Knicks, who stand at 40–23.
Tatum’s return carries extra intrigue after New York eliminated Boston during last year’s playoffs.
Rival Coach Believes Celtics Could Become Team to Beat
Despite missing their franchise cornerstone for much of the season, the Celtics have remained one of the NBA’s elite teams.
Over their last 15 games, Boston owns the league’s best defensive rating (106.1) while posting a 12–3 record during that span.
That success has led some around the league to believe the Celtics could become even more dangerous now that Tatum is back.
One anonymous NBA assistant coach told ESPN that Boston may instantly become the conference favorite.
“They’re already awesome without Jayson,” the assistant coach said. “And you add him for 20 minutes a game, or more? They’re the clear pick to me.”
The sentiment underscores the impact Tatum could have if he quickly returns to form.
Knicks Defense Improving as Playoff Push Intensifies
While Boston’s defense has surged, the Knicks have quietly improved on that end as well.
Over a recent 15-game stretch, New York has gone 10-5, with its defensive rating climbing to 115.2 — the fourth-best mark in the league during that span.
The improvement is notable considering the Knicks ranked in the bottom 10 defensively in December.
A big part of that defensive uptick has coincided with Towns finding his rhythm within head coach Mike Brown’s system.
Karl-Anthony Towns Thriving in Mike Brown’s System
Towns admitted earlier in the season that adjusting to Brown’s structure required patience.
But the three-time All-NBA selection has recently elevated his play, focusing on maximizing his role within the team’s system.
“Just trying to be the best player I can be in my role,” Towns said, according to the New York Post, following the Knicks’ 103–100 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder at Madison Square Garden.
“I wanna be a star in my role, and I’m just focusing every day on doing that and impacting winning.”
“That’s what I wake up every day thinking about for this team — how can I impact winning and be a star in my role?”
Towns’ Post-All-Star Surge Fueling Knicks Momentum
Since the NBA All-Star Game break, Towns has played some of his most efficient basketball of the season.
He is shooting 61.2 percent from the field and 52.2 percent from three-point range while averaging 19.4 points and 11.5 rebounds.
His improved offensive efficiency has also translated to better defensive engagement.
Towns’ defensive rating has dropped dramatically from 111.3 before the All-Star break to 103.0 afterward, signaling a stronger two-way impact, the New York Post noted.
Knicks Staying Focused on Internal Growth
With Boston getting its franchise star back and the Eastern Conference standings tightening, the outside conversation has quickly turned toward potential playoff matchups.
But Towns insists the Knicks’ focus remains internal.
Instead of worrying about the Celtics or any other contender, New York’s priority is executing its own system and continuing to improve.
If the Knicks can do that, Towns believes the outcome will take care of itself — no matter who lines up across the court in the postseason.