January 16th 2025 at 9:31am CST by Dana Gauruder
Knicks big man Karl-Anthony Towns missed Wednesday’s overtime victory over Philadelphia due to a thumb injury. He has a bone chip in the thumb, which he injured during a loss to Detroit on Monday, but plans to play through it, Peter Botte and Stefan Bondy of the New York Post report.
The thumb is also sprained but surgery isn’t necessary or anticipated, either during or after the season, the Post duo adds. Towns is averaging 25.4 points and 13.5 rebounds per game in his first season in New York.
We have more on the New York City teams:
- Josh Hart called out unnamed Knicks teammates after recent losses for letting “egos” and “individual agendas” get in the way of team goals. Coach Tom Thibodeau said on Wednesday that Hart needs to choose his words more carefully, Bondy writes. “I think oftentimes the next day after you look at the film, you’re putting a mic in front of someone right after a game. And sometimes they may say things, we all may say things that we wish we had not said until you watch the film the next day,” the coach said. “And then there’s usually a pretty good reason why something occurred. So before you say something, you probably should think.”
- The Knicks are fortunate they didn’t go all in and trade for Joel Embiid when rumors circulated last season about the team’s interest in the Sixers center, Bondy opines. They would have squandered their draft capital and other assets for an oft-injured center still owed $300MM due to his extension without injury protections. Of course, Philadelphia never actually made Embiid available.
- The games just keep getting uglier for the rebuilding and tanking Nets, as they suffered the worst loss in franchise history on Wednesday. The 126-67 pummeling by the Clippers was also one of the 10 biggest routs in NBA history, Brian Lewis of the New York Post notes. “This is not the time to point or deflect anything,” coach Jordi Fernandez said. “It’s time for everybody to own, and I will own first. The guys kept fighting; I don’t think that they quit. And it’s one of those days that you don’t do anything right, you don’t have that right energy and togetherness. But you try and you just need a little bit more focus and all these things.” Cameron Johnson, who could be moved before the trade deadline, missed the second game of a back-to-back due to a sprained right ankle, Lewis adds.
- With the front office clearing more cap space than any other team for next offseason and hoarding draft picks in trades, the Nets have the flexibility to make a franchise-altering move, Lewis writes for the New York Post (subscription required). The big prize would be Giannis Antetokounmpo if he ever asks out of Milwaukee, as the Nets covet the superstar forward.
New York Notes: Towns, Hart, Embiid, Nets, Johnson
In the bustling city of New York, there is always something happening in the world of sports. From the latest trade rumors to standout performances on the court, here are some notes on what’s been going on in the Big Apple:
– Karl-Anthony Towns, the star center for the Minnesota Timberwolves, has been the subject of trade rumors involving the New York Knicks. Towns, who is one of the most dominant big men in the league, could be a game-changer for the struggling Knicks if they are able to acquire him.
– Josh Hart, the shooting guard for the New Orleans Pelicans, has been making waves with his impressive performances on the court. Hart, who is known for his scoring ability and tenacious defense, could be a valuable addition to any team in need of a versatile guard.
– Joel Embiid, the All-Star center for the Philadelphia 76ers, has been dominating the competition with his dominant play in the paint. Embiid, who is one of the most skilled big men in the league, is a force to be reckoned with on both ends of the court.
– The Brooklyn Nets, led by superstars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, have been on a hot streak as of late. The Nets, who are currently one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, have been proving themselves as a serious contender for the NBA championship.
– Joe Johnson, the former NBA All-Star, has recently made a comeback to the league with the Boston Celtics. Johnson, who is known for his scoring ability and clutch performances in the playoffs, could be a valuable asset for the Celtics as they make a push for the postseason.
Overall, the world of sports in New York is as exciting and unpredictable as ever. With talented players making headlines and teams vying for playoff contention, there is never a dull moment for sports fans in the Big Apple.
Tags:
New York Notes, Towns, Hart, Embiid, Nets, Johnson, NBA, basketball, sports, New York City, New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, Kevin Hart, Karl-Anthony Towns, Joel Embiid, Joe Johnson, NBA news, NBA updates, basketball highlights
#York #Notes #Towns #Hart #Embiid #Nets #Johnson