Is Karl-Anthony Towns playing tonight against Celtics? Exploring Knicks All-Star's status for NBA opener | (Oct. 22)
The New York Knicks take on the Boston Celtics on Tuesday in their NBA season opener at the TD Garden. The Knicks' newest acquisition, Karl-Anthony Towns, will start for the home team.
The big man is healthy, so Knicks fans are excited to see him in their uniform for the first time in a competitive game after his surprise trade from Minnesota. The Knicks begin their quest for their first title since 1973 against defending champion Celtics, who will play with their star players Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
The Knicks finished second (50-32) in the Eastern Conference last season, finishing 14 games behind the Celtics in second place. With a renewed roster and retooled team, the Knicks will look to bridge the gap with the best team in the Eastern Conference.
Karl-Anthony Towns' acquisition could be the impetus the Knicks need to rise to the top in the East. The New Jersey-born big man averaged 23 points and 11 rebounds, with almost 40% 3 -point shooting during his nine-year stint in Minnesota.
However, Karl Anthony Towns has a reputation for not always playing hard and being prone to defensive lapses, which caused some friction with his current coach,Tom Thibodeau, while he was coaching in Minnesota.
Nevertheless, the seven-footer is a four-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA selection and became the first center to win the NBA 3-point contest in 2022.
Karl-Anthony Towns' father elated by son's move to New York
Perhaps no one is happier about Karl-Anthony Towns' move to New York than his father, Karl Towns Sr., a New York resident and coach at Karl's alma mater, St. Joe’s-Metuchen.
Karl has often spoken about the emotional bond he shares with his father and the influence his dad's basketball coaching has had on him.
"Just watching him coach and just garnering IQ every single day, learning the right way to play the game of basketball and ways you could help your team win and the way he taught me" - Karl-Anthony Towns on his father
Karl Sr. was also emotional when talking about how elated his late wife would have been to see their son play in New York.
“She would be happy because her baby is back home – he’s back home where he started. She’s in heaven ecstatic" - Karl-Anthony Towns Sr. to Ashbury Park Press
Karl Sr. has also spoken at length about his plans to bring St. Joe's young players to Knicks games this season.