Karl-Anthony

Towns

Towns’ knee and back issues were no concern on Monday, and the nature of the game led to him getting additional rest in the fourth quarter. Through 14 games, KAT has been everything the Knicks (and fantasy managers) hoped he would be with his new team. New heads west for a five-game road trip, beginning Wednesday in Phoenix.

Towns’ name was not on the initial injury report for Monday’s game, which is good news after he took a hard fall during the third quarter of Sunday’s win over Brooklyn. He’ll take on his usual duties as the starting center, with Jericho Sims as the primary backup.

Already dealing with a contused left knee, Towns took a hard fall on the small of his back during the third quarter of Sunday’s win. While he remained in the game then, KAT was subbed out with 7:20 remaining in the fourth quarter and did not return. Towns appeared to be moving well after the win, but the Knicks host the Wizards on Monday. Don’t be surprised if he shows up on the initial injury report.

Towns is back after a one-game absence, which drops Jericho Sims to the bench. And given how rookie Ariel Hukporti outplayed Sims in Friday’s win over the Nets, he may be out of the rotation entirely. Neither Hukporti nor Sims is worth the risk in fantasy with Towns available.

Towns and McBride sat out Friday’s win over the Nets, with Jericho Sims replacing the former in the starting lineup. Sims was outplayed by rookie Ariel Hukporti, which could lead to Tom Thibodeau shuffling the frontcourt rotation behind Towns. As for McBride, his absence led to already established guards playing more minutes. Tyler Kolek played nine minutes off the bench, with his defensive struggles keeping him off the court for most of Friday’s win.

Towns collided with Zach LaVine in the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s game against the Bulls. He stayed in the game, but was clearly less than 100%. Now he’ll get the night off with Jericho Sims set to start for the Knicks in his place, though Sims isn’t on the streaming radar Friday.

Towns banged knees with Zach LaVine during the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s loss to the Bulls. While he remained in the game and ultimately scored a season-high 46 points, KAT did not look comfortable down the stretch. Jericho Sims would be the next man up if he cannot play on Friday. Sims isn’t worth streaming in fantasy leagues.

The Knicks were sluggish to begin Wednesday’s game, which is somewhat understandable since they played in Philadelphia on Tuesday. However, that did not apply to Towns, who was sensational throughout and kept the Knicks alive until some of his teammates got going in the third quarter. This was KAT’s second 40-point game of the season, and he’s undoubtedly capable of maintaining top-10 fantasy value.

Towns played well when meeting Joel Embiid for the first time as a Knick as New York moved to 1-0 in Emirates NBA Cup group play. The double-double was his eighth in the last nine games, and he’s closing in on top-5 per-game value in 9-cat formats. Towns and the Knicks head home for a matchup with the Bulls on Wednesday.

The Pacers torched Towns and the Knicks, but that didn’t keep him from producing another 30-point game. He’s scored 30 or more in three straight games and, offensively at least, looks more comfortable by the game. Many fantasy managers expected KAT to be a 2nd-round player after the trade, but he’s been even better, providing top-10 per-game value. He’ll look to continue the 30-point streak when the Knicks visit Joel Embiid and the 76ers on Tuesday, the first of four games during Week 4 for New York.