New York Knicks They are already dealing with significant injury issues after just four games in the regular season and are tied at 2-2. The last setback has come All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns on Thursday. He is unavailable for Friday night’s game against the Detroit Pistons due to an ankle injury.

This news is a serious concern for the Knicks, who are already down two key big men in Precious Achiuwa and Mitchell Robinson. The lack of depth at center creates an uphill battle, and replacing Towns’ scoring production could be an uphill task – especially after his recent dominant performance.

Impact and Recent Performance of Towns

towns He showed his value in the Knicks’ last match against Miami Heat, where he scored 44 points, 13 rebounds and 2 assists. He was an effective player throughout the 39 minutes, shooting an impressive 17-25 from the field and 4-5 from three-point range. Star point guard Jalen Brunson emphasized to Towns the need to get the ball in favorable shooting positions more often, and the adjustment paid off, resulting in Towns’ breakthrough performance.

Knicks Need Valuable Achiuwa Back

Currently, the Knicks are still waiting for the return of Precious Achiuwa, who is out with a hamstring injury. The team hopes he can rejoin the squad in the next few weeks, but until then they will have to make do with their remaining players. Achiuwa’s absence further increased the team’s problems in the frontcourt.

Robinson’s Long-Term Absence and Depth Challenges

Mitchell Robinson’s situation is even longer, as he isn’t expected to return until 2025. With the absence of both Achiuwa and Robinson, the Knicks’ lack of depth at center is glaring. The team was forced to rely on Jericho Sims and rookie second-round pick Ariel Hukporti as the primary backup. While Sims is a bench player, Hukporti is quietly making progress in his limited minutes.

In the last game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Hukporti played 12 minutes compared to Sims’ four, giving a glimpse of his potential. He grabbed two rebounds and had a highlight dunk called back for an offensive foul, but he also chipped in with a block. Hukporti’s defensive abilities are rapidly improving and he is showing an ability to score near the rim, which could help him earn more playing time as the season progresses.

Watching Towns Wound

For now, Towns’ ankle injury will be monitored closely, but the Knicks are hopeful he will play against the Pistons on Friday night despite some discomfort. If Towns plays, his presence could be crucial in stabilizing the Knicks’ frontcourt as the team looks for reinforcements from injured players.