Karl-Anthony Towns Shines in Knicks Debut
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, took place in the iconic Madison Square Garden.
Despite being listed as questionable due to a right quadriceps strain, Towns proved his worth by playing 31 minutes. He was a key player in the New York team’s comeback, showing leadership on both sides of the court.
Towns made 8 of 9 free throws and 1 of 4 three-pointers, as well as dishing out two assists. His performance included a crucial three-point play during a 14-0 run in the final quarter, which allowed the Knicks to regain the lead and secure the victory.
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, who suffered a back issue, and Mitchell Robinson, who rested.
Donovan Mitchell was the Cavaliers’ top scorer with 31 points, while Evan Mobley added 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 they saw their lead reduced in the third quarter, they managed to secure the victory thanks to a strong final offensive.
With this victory, the Knicks start the season with optimism, seeking to return to the elite of the Eastern Conference. The arrival of Towns promises to be a determining factor for the success of the team.
