Karl-Anthony Towns has played on Christmas Day before, but this year’s game is special because it’s at Madison Square Garden, writes Zach Braziller of The New York Post. Towns, who grew up in the New York area, was always far from home in his previous Christmas contests, but an offseason trade to the Knicks has him playing in front of family members and friends.
“It’s my first one home,” he said. “I never got to do that. So this is going to be fun, to be able to do it in front of your family. It’s crazy for me growing up in this area and to be watching the Knicks always play on Christmas Day, watching [Carmelo Anthony] go crazy on Christmas Day. And now to be in a position where I get to have my name in the history of Knicks players to play on Christmas, it’s a huge honor.”
Braziller notes that Christmas Day games have been a tradition for the Knicks dating back to 1947, and today’s contest marks their 12th one in the past 15 years. Although some NBA players would prefer to be off for the holiday, Towns considers it an honor to be included.
“I like playing basketball. It’s a great Christmas present for me,” he said. “I get to go out there and lace the shoes up and play. So I’m excited.”
There’s more from New York:
- Offseason trades for Towns and Mikal Bridges have made the Knicks less reliant on Jalen Brunson to carry the offense, Braziller adds in a separate story. The latest example came Monday when they comfortably beat Toronto despite an off night from Brunson, who was limited to 12 points while shooting 4-of-13 from the field and 0-of-5 from beyond the arc. Brunson is taking 4.4 fewer shots per game than he did last season, but his shooting percentages and assist rate have improved. “I think it’s going to open it up for him even more,” Bridges said. “When you have to respect everybody, you can’t help as much. You don’t help, it’s going to be tough to guard him. Just trying to keep teams honest, so they have to play straight up, and that’s when JB will be in kill mode.”
- Landry Shamet only played one minute in his first game back with the Knicks, but Ian Begley of SNY states in a mailbag column that he’s likely to get a chance to earn a spot in the rotation. Begley points out that the team has one of the lowest-scoring bench units in the league and suggests that Shamet may be able to ease the burden on the starting guards and wings.
- The Knicks were asking for at least two second-round picks in return for backup center Jericho Sims when teams inquired about him during the offseason, Begley adds. Sims may be expendable once Mitchell Robinson returns from offseason ankle surgery.
A very merry Christmas to Knicks fans and basketball fans what a game! I think the best part was seeing KAT compete he is like a brand new player IMO.
Brand new player?
Nah he’s just like the rest of the NBAs big men…
Getting overlooked by Wembys greatness and want to make sure they stand out…
We are going to see these bigs try their hardest against Wemby…
Yeah but after that homecoming game vs Minn and then today I mean yeah 2 is not a trend but it’s promising and hopeful for a fouling out underachieving bum. I was in the never trade for KAT camp and yes Knicks haven’t won anything yet but I feel more wrong than right about what his value is looking like. We’ll see. Still a very fun game.
Best part is Bridges going for 41. He makes Knicks dangerous.
Without his streaky shooting turning red hot the Spurs had that game…
It’s not like anyone o it side Wemby played well for the Spurs, either. Sochan’s 21 came with zero defense. Was a very 2000s game.
Knicks still need a backup C. Thibs never used Simms or Hukporti. Wemby going for 42.
After Wemby Knicks overall D was good. Achiuwa had a good game. Spurs came to play. Give them credit. But Hart won that game. Chased down two O rebs to kill clock win gm.
The bench needs more scoring. So it’s great to see Landry back. This gm got scary. Really happy for 2WayBridges. So great to see his O working.
Merry Christmas Knickerbocker fans .