
via Imago
Jan 1, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) reacts during the second half against the Utah Jazz at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

via Imago
Jan 1, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) reacts during the second half against the Utah Jazz at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
It’s been a season of big swings for the Knicks, and Karl-Anthony Towns has been at the center of it all. From the moment he landed in New York, he’s made one thing clear: this isn’t about him, it’s about the team. “I didn’t come over to be a distraction or disrupt the flow or be on an ego trip or anything. It’s about the team. And I came to amplify them and amplify Cap. You can’t win a championship by yourself. You need everybody,” KAT said just days ago. And he’s backed that up, stepping in as a leader and proving that the trade for him was a home run. Now, a fresh injury update is only adding to the growing optimism in New York.
Speaking of impact, Towns has been a game-changer for the Knicks. They now boast the third-best offense in the league, largely thanks to their offseason gamble paying off. KAT is putting up 24.8 points and 13.5 rebounds per game while shooting a scorching 43.2% from beyond the arc—a career-high. So, the big question ahead of their matchup against the Heat: is he good to go?
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Will Karl-Anthony Towns play against Heat?
According to Tommy Beer, the news is in—Towns has officially been removed from the injury report. That’s not all. “The Knicks are listing Josh Hart and Mitchell Robinson as probable for tomorrow’s game in Miami,” Beer added. With KAT and Jalen Brunson leading the charge, the Knicks should continue to dominate on offense, keeping them near the top of the league.
Finally, some good news for the Knicks. Their defense has struggled in the paint all season, and just when they need it most, Mitchell Robinson is reportedly close to making his return. There’s no exact timeline yet, but he could suit up any game now—a huge sigh of relief for a team desperate for interior defense.
The Knicks are listing Josh Hart and Mitchell Robinson as probable for tomorrow’s game in Miami.
KAT has been removed from the injury report.
The Heat are listing both Andrew Wiggins and Jaime Jaquez Jr. as doubtful
— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) March 2, 2025
That’s because Robinson, when healthy, is a game-changer. His shot-blocking and rim protection make him the perfect complement to Karl-Anthony Towns, who thrives offensively but isn’t known for his defensive prowess. The problem? Robinson’s availability has always been an issue. He missed more than half of last season and hasn’t played a single game this year. That’s the real concern—how long can he stay on the court?
What’s your perspective on:
Is Mitchell Robinson the missing defensive piece the Knicks need to become true title contenders?
Have an interesting take?
Meanwhile, Towns continues to dominate. In his last game, he put up 11 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists in 31 minutes. More impressively, he cracked the top 10 in this week’s MVP Ladder, landing at No. 8. He won’t win the award—Nikola Jokić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander have that locked up—but Towns is still having one of his best seasons.
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So, what does this mean for the Knicks’ future? With Towns playing at an elite level and Robinson set to return, the frontcourt finally has the balance it needs.
Can Knicks make a real playoff run?
Right now, Mitchell Robinson might just be the missing piece. With his defensive impact, Tom Thibodeau would finally have the kind of weapon that could push the Knicks into true title contention. But the real question is—can they actually win an NBA championship? As things stand, they’re not quite on the same level as the league’s elite. However, if they can get a few solid months of Robinson at full strength, that narrative could shift in a big way.
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Of course, it’s going to take some serious injury luck. If the Knicks can keep their core healthy through the rest of the season and into the playoffs, they’ll have a legitimate shot at making the Finals. Right now, their top five players are all in the top 25 in minutes played, which is both impressive and concerning.
Speaking of workload, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart lead the team in minutes. If Thibs keeps running his guys into the ground, a late-season injury could derail everything. But if the Knicks can somehow stay healthy for the next four months, they might just turn into a real problem for the rest of the league.
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Debate
Is Mitchell Robinson the missing defensive piece the Knicks need to become true title contenders?