“Towns has been everything the Knicks could have reasonably expected,” wrote HoopsHype contributor Mike Shearer in his recent report detailing power rankings. After spending 9 years of his NBA career with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Karl-Anthony Towns’s sudden trade to the New York Knicks may have surprised many. Even in mid-November, the player had one thing to say: “It’s an adjustment”.

Despite this, Towns has kept leaving a mark in his 21 appearances with the team till now, dropping averages that are only second-best to Jalen Brunson’s by 0.2 points per game. In light of this, his presence would be more than required as the Knicks take on the Toronto Raptors next. Unfortunately, given his injury status, there is a good chance the same may not happen.

According to the New York Knicks Injury Report, Karl-Anthony Towns is listed as ‘Questionable’. This was the same status under which he was put before the Timberwolves-Knicks matchup. If absent from the upcoming game too, then it will mark the 2 consecutive that Towns will have missed, and 3 overall during this season. The Center is not alone, as Cameron Payne also joins him on the list, thanks to an elbow injury. Furthermore, Mitchell Robinson, who has yet to make his season debut, won’t do it against the Raptors. The same goes for Kevin McCullar Jr., the 56 Draft Pick of this year.

Before the Pistons matchup, doctors diagnosed Karl-Anthony Towns with a Right Knee Patellar Tendinopathy. Upon going through pregame workouts, the team established the player was in no condition to perform. While Brunson also received a ‘Questionable’ designation for the Pistons game, he still made himself available. Unfortunately, the same wasn’t enough, and the Detroit Pistons took home the win by a 120-111 score.

The lack of center depth is not something that any team could afford. Especially the New York Knicks. After all, Karl-Anthony Towns’ 13.2 rebounds average is only the 2 highest in the ongoing season. Nikola Jokic only leads the Knicks star slightly, with his 13.6. Therefore, in Towns’ absence, the Toronto Raptors could very well deliver the Knicks their 2 loss in a row.

Speaking of the Toronto Raptors, the 14 seed holding team is not without its own ailment woes. According to their Injury Report, the team currently has three players listed as ‘OUT’. They are Bruce Brown, DJ Carton, and Immanuel Quickley. While Carton has not played even a single game this season, Brown and Quickley have been absent from the main lineup for over a month. Fortunately, since none of the trio was a part of the Raptors’ starting lineup, their absence didn’t affect the team much. Nor it will be going forward.

Therefore, going into the upcoming matchup, only the Knicks will have to make adjustments to their starting lineup.

What will the starting lineup and depth chart for the Knicks-Raptors game look like?

According to Rotowire, Jericho Sims and Precious Achiuwa can increase their on-court minutes if Karl-Anthony Towns continues staying ‘OUT’. Head coach Tom Thibodeau did use Sims during the Pistons matchup. However, as reported by the Daily News, Sims was someone “whose roller-coaster ride of a season took a turn for the worst against the Pistons.” In his 6 minutes on the court, the player made 0 points, 0 rebounds, and 1 assist! Not very ‘precious’ at first.

In light of this, the starting lineup for the New York Knicks can look something like this:

Similarly, the Toronto Raptors’ updates suggest that the franchise will have a starting lineup that looks like this:

Do you believe the New York Knicks can win without Karl-Anthony Towns? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section.