Knicks Aren't at Their Best Yet, Says Karl-Anthony Towns

The Knicks have won 7 of their last 10 games but Towns believes they can still improve before the NBA Playoffs.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 11:04pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented basketball court scene, with players and the ball broken down into sharp, overlapping shapes in navy blue, orange, and white, conveying the Knicks' ongoing pursuit of their peak performance.The Knicks' search for their best form continues as they prepare for the NBA Playoffs.Boston Today

Karl-Anthony Towns believes the New York Knicks, currently third in the Eastern Conference, have not yet shown their full potential this season. Despite their recent strong record, Towns says the Knicks have struggled at times against weaker opponents like the Charlotte Hornets and Oklahoma City Thunder, and need to put together complete performances on both offense and defense to be at their best heading into the playoffs.

Why it matters

The Knicks are looking to make a deep playoff run this season, and Towns' assessment suggests they still have room for improvement to become true title contenders. As they face a tough remaining schedule, the Knicks will need to find that next level of play to prove they can hang with the East's elite teams.

The details

The Knicks have won 7 of their last 10 games, but losses to the Hornets and Thunder have raised some concerns. Towns noted the team's offensive rating of 119.6 (6th in the NBA) and defensive rating of 113.2 (6th), indicating they excel at one end of the floor at a time rather than putting together complete performances. He believes the Knicks' best basketball is still ahead, with the team needing to focus on creating turnovers, playing with pace, and maximizing each player's strengths.

  • The Knicks have not beaten the Thunder since November 21, 2022.
  • The Knicks lost to the Hornets by 11 points in their most recent matchup.

The players

Karl-Anthony Towns

An NBA player for the New York Knicks who has observed the team's recent dip in performance and believes they have not yet shown their full potential this season.

Jalen Brunson

The starting point guard and leader of the New York Knicks.

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What they’re saying

“I don't think we've seen it yet. We still have these games to show it. I still think we're learning what we're trying to accomplish in the system and everything. I think, for us, our best basketball is when we're causing turnovers and turning those into transition points, playing with pace and maximizing what everyone does so well and makes them great.”

— Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks Player

“We have time; not a lot, but we have time. It can come randomly. It can come at Game 80 or 81. We have a lot of tape, too. Maybe this offensive game was our best offensive game or this defensive game was our best defensive game. We just haven't always put those two together. There's a lot of good to look back on, especially when you've won as much as we have, to see what has worked well.”

— Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks Player

What’s next

The Knicks face a tough remaining schedule, including games against the Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, Chicago Bulls, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, and Toronto Raptors, before closing the season with a rematch against the Hornets. Their ability to put together complete performances on both ends of the floor will be crucial as they prepare for the playoffs.

The takeaway

Despite their strong record, the Knicks know they have not yet reached their full potential this season. As they gear up for the playoffs, the team will need to find a way to consistently play at a high level on both offense and defense in order to prove they are true contenders in the Eastern Conference.