Karl-Anthony Towns Shines in Knicks Debut
The Dominican center Karl-Anthony Towns had a stellar debut with the New York Knicks, scoring 19 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in the 119-111 victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The match, which marked the start of the 2025-26 NBA season, was held at Madison Square Garden.
Despite being considered questionable due to a strain in his right quadriceps, Towns played 31 minutes and was crucial in the New York team’s comeback. His performance included 8 of 9 free throws, 1 of 4 three-pointers, and two assists, demonstrating leadership in defense and offense.
The Dominican player starred in a decisive three-point play during a 14-0 run in the final quarter, allowing the Knicks to regain the lead and secure the victory in the debut of new coach Mike Brown.
For the Knicks, OG Anunoby led the offense with 24 points, followed by Jalen Brunson with 23. Mikal Bridges contributed 16 points and Miles McBride added 15 off the bench. The team played without Josh Hart (back issue) and Mitchell Robinson (scheduled rest).
On the Cavaliers’ side, Donovan Mitchell was the standout player with 31 points. Evan Mobley contributed 22 points and 8 rebounds, and Sam Merrill finished with 19 points.
The Knicks dominated the first half with a score of 65-50. Although their lead was reduced in the third quarter, they managed to secure the victory with a strong final offensive.
With this victory, the Knicks start the season with optimism, seeking to return to the elite of the Eastern Conference, driven by the arrival of Towns, who is emerging as a key player for the team.
