The new star of the Knicks, Karl-Anthony Towns, debuted by scoring 10 points in the preseason debut against the Hornets.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Jalen Brunson thought twice about going 1-on-2 in transition, instead dribbling out and throwing the ball behind him to Karl-Anthony Towns, who hit a 3-pointer with a defender on the face.
It’s the type of two-man game that the New York Knicks hope will elevate them to the next level and bring an NBA championship to New York for the first time since 1973.
The new star of the Knicks, Karl-Anthony Towns, debuted by scoring 10 points in the preseason debut against the Hornets. Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images
It’s the reason the Knicks acquired the versatile Towns, a four-time NBA All-Star, last week. He can stretch the opposing defense and open up even more space for Brunson to operate in the line and attack the hole.
Towns scored 10 points on 2-of-7 shooting and four rebounds in 15 minutes in his preseason debut with his new team Sunday night as the Knicks held on to beat the Charlotte Hornets 111-109. Brunson scored 12 points on 5-of-11 shooting and three assists.
Both only played the first half, which ended with a 61-61 tie.
“I know their talents, so it’s a matter of playing with them,” Towns said. “Finally being able to put on a Knicks jersey and play 5-on-5 was really cool.”
Brunson added: “It will definitely take time, but when people are willing to do what it takes to win, at some point it will flow. We are talking consistently, we are on the same page and we are excited to be able to be teammates.”
For Towns, this is his first time moving to a new team, so he’s not sure how long it will take him to develop that chemistry.
“Every day, it’s just about learning each other’s trends and continuing to get better,” Towns said. “That’s really the key for us.”
But it’s pretty clear that Towns is excited about his new start in New York.
“These guys are all super, super special and they’re all very talented and they worked hard,” Towns said. “The trainers put us through drills that allowed us to work on our skills and timing.”
Towns seemed out of sync at times offensively early, but grew more comfortable as the first half progressed. He struggled from deep, missing his other four 3-point attempts and half of his points came from the free throw line.
“I thought it was going to be a little hectic and there are little areas we need to clean up,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said. “They obviously need time, so I wanted them to get their feet wet. The first game is right around the corner and we have to get to it.”
The Knicks had good ball movement early, but missed a few layups.
“We’ll take a look at that. The timing is right,” Thibodeau said. “Some sequences were good; some of them have to be done better. Some of them are directing (the ball) to the wrong area.”
The 7-foot center was acquired from the Minnesota Timberwolves last week in a three-team trade that included the Charlotte Hornets, so he hasn’t had much work with his new teammates.
The Knicks dealt three-time All-Star Julius Randle and guard Donte DiVincenzo, while reacquiring Keita Bates-Diop and also receiving a first-round pick. The Hornets received Charlie Brown, DaQuan Jeffries and Duane Washington Jr. and two second-round picks, along with the draft rights to center James Nnaji.
Towns has averaged 22.9 points and 10.8 rebounds and shot 39.8% from 3-point range during his nine seasons in the league.
