The Second-Best Center in the NBA? Can Karl-Anthony Towns Make First-Team All-NBA This Season?

New York basketball fans are making their voices heard. On January 3rd, the NBA released its first round of All-Star voting results, with Karl-Anthony Towns ranking third among Eastern Conference frontcourt players, trailing only Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jayson Tatum. This marks a staggering leap for Towns, who garnered only 139,642 votes at the same stage last year. With his current total exceeding one million votes, Towns is a strong contender to secure his first All-Star starting spot.

Towns’ rise is no coincidence—it’s a direct result of his stellar play this season. In a recent game against the Utah Jazz, the Knicks secured a commanding 119-103 victory, despite missing Jalen Brunson. Towns was nothing short of dominant, logging 36 minutes and posting 31 points, 21 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block. His shooting efficiency—10-for-20 from the field, 3-for-6 from deep, and 8-for-9 from the free-throw line—showcased his versatility and scoring touch. In the fourth quarter alone, Towns played the entire 12 minutes, tallying 11 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists. Matched up against Walker Kessler, who managed just 6 points and 8 rebounds, Towns’ superiority was clear.

This performance marked Towns’ third consecutive game with at least 30 points and 10 rebounds. In back-to-back contests against the Wizards prior to the Jazz game, Towns recorded 30 points and 14 rebounds, followed by 32 points and 13 rebounds. Earlier in the season, he put on a show against his former team, the Timberwolves, finishing with 32 points, 20 rebounds, and 6 assists on 10-of-12 shooting, including 5-for-5 from three.

Towns has also delivered two 40-point games this season. Against the Miami Heat, he tallied 44 points and 13 rebounds on 17-for-25 shooting. Facing the Bulls, he posted 46 points and 10 rebounds on 18-for-30 shooting.

Statistical Dominance

Through 32 games this season, Towns is averaging 24.9 points, 13.7 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game while shooting 54.8% from the field, 44.0% from three-point range, and 83.6% from the free-throw line. His true shooting percentage stands at an elite 66.2%. For comparison, last season with the Timberwolves, Towns averaged 21.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 3.0 assists, with shooting splits of 50.4%/41.6%/87.3% and a true shooting percentage of 62.5%.

Despite skepticism about his ability to be a team’s primary option, Towns has proved he can thrive in such a role. After starting the season as the perceived second option behind Brunson, Towns has firmly established himself as the leader of the Knicks. He currently ranks 13th in the league in scoring and second in rebounding, while maintaining the highest efficiency of his career.

What’s remarkable is that Towns’ increased production hasn’t come from a dramatic uptick in shot attempts. Compared to last season, he’s only taking one more field goal per game but has increased his scoring average by 3.1 points.

An Offensive Genius

Towns’ offensive repertoire is unmatched for a player of his size. At 7-feet tall, he combines the physical presence of a traditional center with the speed and finishing ability of a forward. His shooting is perhaps his most impressive attribute; among players averaging at least five three-point attempts per game, Towns’ 44.0% shooting ranks seventh in the league and represents a career-high.

Defensively, Towns still has room to improve, but his offensive contributions more than make up for any shortcomings. This season, the Knicks outscore opponents by 10.6 points per 100 possessions with Towns on the floor, compared to just 4.8 points when he’s off. His cumulative plus-minus of +241 ranks third on the team, behind Mikal Bridges (+257) and OG Anunoby (+255), both of whom have played two more games.

MVP Consideration

Towns’ outstanding performances haven’t gone unnoticed, as he’s been a regular on the MVP leaderboard this season. His highest ranking was fifth, and he currently sits at seventh, trailing only Nikola Jokić, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Dončić, Jayson Tatum, and Victor Wembanyama.

With Joel Embiid missing significant time due to injury, Towns has emerged as the best center in the Eastern Conference and arguably the second-best center in the league behind Jokić. In addition to his All-Star starting spot, Towns has a legitimate chance to earn his first All-NBA First Team selection.

Knicks’ Hot Streak

The Knicks are on fire. Following their victory over the Jazz, New York has won nine straight games and boasts a 19-4 record over their last 23 contests. During this stretch, their offensive efficiency of 120.8 points per 100 possessions ranks second in the league. With Towns on the court, that number rises to an incredible 121.2 points, with a net rating of +13.8.

The starting lineup of Towns, Brunson, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, and OG Anunoby has been particularly dominant, logging 365 minutes together and outscoring opponents by 11.7 points per 100 possessions.

The Timberwolves’ Regret

As Towns continues to shine in New York, one can’t help but wonder how the Timberwolves feel about letting him go. Once considered their franchise cornerstone, Towns was traded to the Knicks in what now appears to be a cost-cutting move. While Anthony Edwards has blossomed into a star in Minnesota, Towns is arguably having the better season.

For the Knicks, Towns has exceeded expectations and become the driving force behind their resurgence. If he can maintain his current form, a First Team All-NBA selection and a deep playoff run may be well within reach.