The New York Knicks’ sensational season hit a minor speed bump this week with news that star center Karl-Anthony Towns is dealing with a bone chip in his right thumb. The concerning injury comes as the Knicks have surged to a 26-15 record, on pace for one of the best seasons in franchise history.
Towns, the hometown hero acquired in a blockbuster trade just before training camp, has been brilliant for New York, averaging 25.4 points and a league-leading 13.9 rebounds per game. His efficient 55% shooting from the field and 44.9% from three have made him an offensive force.
Injury Concerns Arise
However, Towns injured the thumb on his shooting hand during Monday’s loss to the Detroit Pistons when he smacked it on the backboard. Though he finished with an impressive 26 points and 12 rebounds in 43 minutes, Towns was seen grabbing at the hand frequently.
Sources confirmed to ESPN on Wednesday that along with a sprain, Towns has a bone chip in the thumb. The Knicks officially ruled him out of Wednesday’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers as the swelling subsides. Head coach Tom Thibodeau said they will re-evaluate Towns ahead of the team’s next game on Thursday.
“We’ll see where he is [Thursday],” Thibodeau told reporters.
Fighting Through the Pain
Despite the troubling injury, sources indicate that Towns plans to play through the bone chip and sprain. The gritty toughness is no surprise from the 27-year-old, who has quickly become the heart and soul of the Knicks in his first season with the team.
Towns’ presence will be crucial as the Knicks jostle for playoff positioning in the competitive Eastern Conference. The four-time All-Star was poised to make his first start in the NBA All-Star Game this season, ranking third among East frontcourt players in the first two rounds of fan voting.
Knicks Thriving with Towns
There’s no doubting Towns’ immense impact in his debut season with the Knicks. His all-around excellence has New York on pace for 52 wins, which would rank top-10 in the storied franchise’s history. The big man’s inside-out game has taken the Knicks’ offense to another level.
The hope is that the thumb injury will only be a minor issue and Towns can continue performing at an elite level. The Knicks showed their ability to compete without him in Wednesday’s thrilling 125-119 overtime win over the 76ers.
Still, having a healthy Towns will be essential to the Knicks making a deep postseason run. After missing the playoffs the last two seasons since their surprise 2021 appearance, New York is determined to return to prominence with their new hometown star leading the way.
Injury Outlook
Bone chips and sprains can be tricky injuries, especially for a shooting hand. The Knicks will surely be cautious with Towns but the ultra-competitive big man wants to play through it. Expect his status to be closely monitored and updated game-by-game.
If Towns misses time or is limited, the Knicks will lean more on Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson up front. Sixth man Isaiah Hartenstein would also see an increased role. But there’s no replacing Towns’ unique skillset and leadership.
The Knicks have proven to be a tough, resilient bunch in Tom Thibodeau’s third season at the helm. Karl-Anthony Towns will put that toughness to the test as he battles through this thumb injury. The Knicks’ playoff fate may hinge on their star’s health.