SAN ANTONIO – The only thing that can slow down Karl-Anthony Towns at this point is management.
En route to the Monster Game, Towns was limited by some questionable calls.
He still helped the Knicks go 2-0 with a 105-104 win at Frostbank Center on Friday night.
For most of the first three quarters, Towns outplayed Victor Wimpanyama on both ends of the court. However, he picked up his fourth foul with 6:01 remaining in the third quarter and had to watch the rest of the period.
He scored 21 points on 8 of 12 shooting, along with 13 rebounds and four assists.
He was also plus-11 in 34 minutes.
“For me, I’m happy to find ways to win,” Towns said. “I’m just worried about the result of the team, which is to win…. This team depends on each other. I think that’s why we got here.
“That’s why we had the success we had during the regular season, even when things weren’t going well because at the end of the day when things get tough, and the trials and tribulations come up, this team doesn’t fall apart. They don’t pull away from each other. We lean into each other more.”
It’s been an ordinary season for Towns, but a great one. A lot changed in the opening-round playoff series against the Hawks, when coach Mike Brown shifted the offense to run more through Towns.
He has become more efficient and more involved, a playmaker on the one hand and a strong defender on the other.
The Knicks haven’t lost since then.
“It’s supposed to be this way,” Brown said. “I came up with a great plan. Maybe the plan didn’t work. Who adapts, him or me? Me. I adapt.” “Editing isn’t enough. Every now and then, we’re not on the same page. We talk about it. I’m adjusting again.”
“It’s my job as a coach to fit whatever scheme we have on both sides of the pitch to all our players, and if you’re a great player, I have to make a little more adjustment or I have to give a little more than you do.”