Aheartbreaking loss to the Chicago Bulls stung the New York Knicks two-fold on Nov. 13, with Karl-Anthony Towns getting banged up along the way. Jalen Brunson, too, is nursing an injury from a Nov. 12 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. New York is 5-6 on the season, still searching for their first win streak.
On a Nov. 14 edition of the NBA’s injury report, the Knicks are listing Brunson as probable with a sprained right ankle, and Towns as questionable with a left knee contusion. Elsewhere, Miles McBride is listed as questionable with left knee inflammation, and Cameron Payne is listed as probable with a left hamstring strain. Precious Achiuwa and Mitchell Robinson remain out with their respective injuries.
Towns has a case as New York’s best player to start the 2024-2025 season. He’s averaging 26.5 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game on 53/50/82 shooting split. Towns’ defense hasn’t been as bad as advertised. And the offense, if anything, has been better than fans expected. Towns has recorded two games with 40 or more points his first 11 with the Knicks. That’s as many as he had last season with the Minnesota Timberwolves. To lose him would be a huge blow to a New York team that’s banged up early on in the season.
Fans should expect to see Brunson, McBride, and Payne on the floor versus Brooklyn, as they all were available against the Bulls on Nov. 13. Achiuwa and Robinson aren’t ready to make their season debuts, and won’t be for some time. Towns is a toss-up. Coming off a loss against a feisty Nets team is not the game you want to be down several personnel. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 pm EST.