Karl-Anthony Towns just made his preseason debut with the Knicks, and it’s safe to s✃ay he’s already shaking things up꧟.
With his crazy shooting range and all-a⭕round playmaking, Towns brings a 🍰well-needed new vibe to the team.
In their first preseason game, we got a taste of what the new-look Knicks could be like, and fans are buzzing abou🎃t the possibilities.
Let’s take a closer look at how Towns is fitting in, what’s working well, and what♕ still needs some work as the season gets s⭕tarted.
- Karl-Anthony Towns’ ability to shoot from deep has changed how the Knicks can space the floor and attack offensively.
- The Knicks’ starting lineup shows strong potential, but Josh Hart’s shooting remains a key weakness that could affect the team’s offense.
- With Towns, the Knicks could challenge teams like the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference, but their depth may still be a concern.
First Look at the Knicks’ New Starting Lineup
The New 🙈York Knicks’ preseason started with excitement as they beat the Cha🌠rlotte Hornets 111-109.
This game gave fans their first look at the new starting lineup, which includes Karl-Anthony Towns, who joined the team in the offseason.
Another new addition, Mikal Bridges, played alonꦇgside Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and OG Anunoby.
It might well be that💦 this lineup will be one of the strongest in the league.
Though the starters only playꦰed briefly in the first half, they showed flashes of what’s possible.
And, of course, preseason games aren’t always the best way to predictꦺ success, but Sunday’s game gave a glimpse into what this team could become.
Karl-Anthony Towns’ Deep Shooting Changes the Game
You’ve probably heard about Karl-Anthony Towns’ shooting before, and his first game with the Knicks showed just how valuable this will be.
KAT from WAY downtown! 🔥
The newest Knick gets his first buck🌳et for🌠 New York.
📺Knicks-Hornets | NBA TV
📲— NBA (@NBA)
He hit a deep three-pointer,ಌ pulling up fro🍒m 27 feet with plenty of time left on the shot clock.
This wasn’t for show—Towns’ ability to make❀ these shots changes how the Knicks’ offense works.
In the past, Knicks 𒀰centers like Mitchell Robinson and Isaiahཧ Hartenstein weren’t much of a threat from outside.
As a result, thi🎶s allowed defenders to clog the lane, and it was harder for players like Jalen Brunson to drive to the basket.
Thanks to his range, Towns🦂’ ability to shoot from far out opens up space in🔯 the paint so that his teammates can score more easily.
And Sunday’s game shoܫwed how this new spacing could help the Knicks aꦑll season.
Towns’ New Freedom Without Another Big Man
Another benefit of Towns pl♔aying with the Knicks is that he has more space to work w🍒ith on the court.
ꦫTowns was often paired with Rudy Gobert during his time with th💛e Minnesota Timberwolves, forming a double-big lineup.
While they worked well together, it sometimes limited Towns’ ability to fiᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚnd open spaces.
With the Knicks, Towns is the only big man in the lineup, which gives him more freedom to use his s𒅌kills.
During Sunday’s game, defenders had ♌to stay close to🍰 the Knicks’ other offensive threats, leaving Towns with plenty of room to work.
He took advantage of this extra space by drivi🌳ng to the basket and making great passes to set up♏ his teammates.
Although some missed his lobs, this is something that will improve with more time playing toget🎐her.
Mikal Bridges: Selective but Efficient
Mikal Bridges didn’t take many shots in the game, but that’s because he did🌠n’t need to.
Last s⭕eason, when Bridges was with the Brooklyn Nets, he had to take on a bigger role and had t𒈔he highest usage rate of his career.
He doesn’t have to carry that much of the lo�🍸�ad with the Knicks, though.
In the Kn𒁏icks’ new lineup, Bridges can afford t🐲o be more selective with his shots.
On Sunday, he took just five shots in 12 minutes but made the most o😼f his chances.
He even scored his first basket by taking advantage of a wide-open lane after the Hornet🦩s’ defense focused on the Knicks’ otꦬher stars.
This is the beauty of having multiple scorers on the floor—Br🌟idges doesn’t need to force shots.
And the fact he can wai♉t for his moments should help his overall efficiency this seas𓆏on.
Josh Hart: The Question Mark
While the Knicks’ new starting lineup is൩ exciting, there’s still one big question: Josh Hart’s shooting.
Last season, Hart made only 31% of his 3-point ༒attempts, and this game showed that opposing teams plan to take advantage of that.
When Brunson dওrove to the basket, the Hornets’ Vasilije Micic completely left Hart open to double-t♎eam Brunson.
In the end, Hart had a wide-open 3-pointer 🀅bu🅷t missed it.
So, defenderജs will l﷽ikely continue to leave Hart open this season.
And if Hart can’t improve his 3-point shooting, it could limit the Knicks’ offensive s📖uccess.
However, Hart is a sma𝓡rt player who can contribute in other ways, such as cutting to the basket or s♍etting screens.
Towns’ Success and What’s Next for the Knicks
It’s important not to overreact to one preseason game, but based on what we’ve seen so far, Towns’ first game 🍸with the Knicks w✱as a success.
Heꦐ showed off his ꦚshooting, passing, and defense, all of which will be key as the season progresses.
But the real test comes on October 22nd when the Knicks face off against the Boston Celtics. That game will show how well this new lineup holds up against one of🃏 the best teams in the league.
It’ll also allow Towns to see how he fits in with h෴is new teammates in a more competitive setting.
Can the Knicks Compete with the Celtics for the Top Spot in the East?
With Karl-Anthony Towns in the lineup, many people wonder if the Knicks can now seriously compete with the Boston Celtics for the top spot in t🌳he Eastern Conf💯erence.
On paper, the Knicks’ starting five looks great, but there are st🍷ill concerns about their depth and whether they can keep up this level of play through a long season.
If Towns and Brunson can keep building their chemistry, especially in pick-and-roll situations, and if the Knicks find ways to🐓 cover for Hart’s shooting struggles, they could become a real threat in the East.
But for now, it’s too early to say for sure.
What’s clear, though, is that t♏his Knicks team has a higher ceiling than it has had in a long time.
