Karl-Anthony Towns had his back to the basket on the left block with big-bodied Andre Drummond nestling in behind him, when he flipped a no-look pass to cutting teammate Mikal Brides for an uncontested layup during Tuesday’s victory in Philadelphia.
As if they didn’t already know it, the Knicks have learned over his first 10 games with the team that Towns is a wondrous offensive player, including a deft passing touch for a 7-footer.
“He just sees the game,” said Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau, who also coached Towns earlier in his career in Minnesota. “I think that experience has taught him a lot, and I think that’s his skill set — because of the way he can shoot, and then he’s comfortable away from the basket.
“He can put [the ball] on the floor, but if you cut and you’re open, he’s gonna hit you. And guys, they tend to cut a lot harder if they know they’ll get the ball. His all-around game is terrific. And he’s a lot stronger now than he was seven, eight years ago. So just the overall growth, understanding the league, [his] skill set just sets up everything.”
The four-time All-Star center’s assist numbers actually are down this season entering Wednesday’s game against the Bulls. Towns is averaging 2.7 assists over his first 10 appearances following the offseason trade that sent Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to the Timberwolves. It marks his lowest output in that category since he registered 2.4 per game in 2017-18; he had posted a career high of 4.8 assists as recently as 2022-23.
But his 1.8 turnovers through the Knicks’ 5-5 start also represents the lowest total of his career.
“I’ve definitely had a lot of passing. I’m just happy for us some of those passes are working,” Towns said after Tuesday’s win. “I know I had some I wish I could take back in tight windows.”
The 28-year-old New Jersey product also began Wednesday’s game leading the Knicks in scoring with 24.5 points per game and rebounding with a career-high-tying 12.4 per appearance. His assist numbers likely will rise as he grows more accustomed to his teammates.
Even if the Knicks have sacrificed some of their interior defense with the free-agent departure of Isaiah Hartenstein and the injury absence of Mitchell Robinson, Towns gives them an offensive threat that can score in the paint and from the outside.
Through Tuesday, he had connected on 51.1 percent of his 3-point attempts with 2.4 makes per game from beyond the arc.
Thibodeau has implored the Knicks to shoot a higher volume from long distance this season.
“I think it’s still a work in progress,” Thibodeau said. “I think understanding the value of shots is the most important thing. And so what are you good at. Everyone talks about the 3s, but it’s really the layups, too. You want as many layups as you can get. And you want to get to the [free-throw] line. Attacking the rim is important. Deep paint decisions. Like what are you doing when the second defender comes. Are you making the right play. And that’s equally important.”
Forward OG Anunoby also has enjoyed a fast start from long range, shooting 41.5 percent through 10 games.
“I think, and I told him this, from when he was drafted to where he is today, he might have improved as much as anyone as a shooter that I’ve seen,” Thibodeau said of Anunoby. “He’s a great shooter. Phenomenal.
“It’s just the consistency. He’s really worked at it. And I think probably the byproduct of when he came out of college, he was injured, so I think he put a lot of time into the shooting piece and he’s a knockdown shooter.”