Karl Anthony Towns to return against Lakers in huge boost for Knicks

Karl-Anthony Towns will play Thursday night against the Lakers after missing the Knicks’ loss to the Warriors for personal reasons, as per The Post.

Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau previously said Towns “needs some time” and was unsure if the center would join the team for the five-game road trip. Towns’ girlfriend, Jordyn Woods, later hinted at the nature of his absence by posting “cancer sucks” on X.

New York struggled offensively without Towns in Tuesday’s 114-102 loss to Golden State, scoring just 21 points in the fourth quarter. The Knicks (40-21) are now 3-3 this season without their star big man, who has already dealt with knee and thumb injuries.

Mitchell Robinson, who recently returned from a 10-month absence, started in Towns’ place. He played 15 minutes under a restriction, finishing with seven points and five rebounds. Robinson acknowledged his defensive lapses, saying, “I don’t think I communicated to the guys as much as I should have.”

New York’s defense allowed Golden State to shoot 60% in the second half, with Steph Curry scoring 20 points after the break. OG Anunoby noted the team suffered from “miscommunications” in guarding the Warriors’ shooters.

Thibodeau stressed the need for better awareness, adding, “We probably could have communicated better than we did.”

The Lakers (39-21) enter Thursday’s matchup on a seven-game winning streak, including a victory over the Knicks at Madison Square Garden last month. Towns’ return will be a major boost for New York as they look to bounce back on the road.