The Knicks finished off another win without Karl-Anthony Towns closing the game, the second time that’s happened in four days, writes Jared Schwartz of The New York Post.
After fouling out against Philadelphia on Saturday, Towns stayed on the bench for the final 6:51 of Tuesday’s win over Sacramento as Mike Brown chose to ride Mitchell Robinson at center.
The move paid off, as New York turned a four-point lead into a 16-point victory. The big man didn’t object to the decision, saying, “We got a win, that’s the most important thing.”
Those late-game choices have fueled trade chatter surrounding Towns, whose offensive production has dipped in his first season under Brown.
He finished Tuesday with 17 points in 27 minutes on 5-of-15 shooting and posted a team-worst minus-3.
After arriving from Minnesota last season, Towns teamed with Jalen Brunson to lead the Knicks to the Eastern Conference Finals, averaging 24.4 points and 12.8 rebounds and earning third-team All-NBA honors.
This year, the coaching change from Tom Thibodeau to Brown appears to have hit Towns harder than most, with his numbers falling to 20.5 points and 11.4 rebounds per game and his shooting percentages at career lows.
Brown explained the late-game lineup choice by saying, “At the end of the game, we had a group out on the floor that was playing well … We needed to get the win.”
Robinson’s strong play has contributed to Towns’ reduced closing role, though concerns about Robinson’s left ankle continue to limit his availability.
While reports differ on whether the Knicks are actively exploring a Towns trade, any move may hinge on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future.
With Towns owed $53.1 million this season and $57 million in 2026/27, he could factor into a potential blockbuster if circumstances align.
Karl-Anthony Towns Benched In Crunch Time Amid Trade Rumors https://t.co/xB709UplCD pic.twitter.com/KLEFojFeBK
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) January 28, 2026
