Story perspectives

Towns' Position Shuffle Sparks Knicks' Playoff Struggles

12/15/2025

Summary

Story summary

Karl-Anthony Towns (Minnesota Timberwolves forward) moved to power forward to address defensive shortcomings, with the Towns–Rudy Gobert pairing contributing to 56 wins and the 2024 Western Conference finals.
Tom Thibodeau (Knicks head coach) reinstated Towns at center, boosting offense but revealing defensive issues against the pick-and-roll.
As a result, Josh Hart (Knicks guard) declined, and Mitchell Robinson started the final four games of the Knicks’ series against the Indiana Pacers.

1 of 1

Story summary

Karl-Anthony Towns (Minnesota Timberwolves forward) moved to power forward to address defensive shortcomings, with the Towns–Rudy Gobert pairing contributing to 56 wins and the 2024 Western Conference finals.
Tom Thibodeau (Knicks head coach) reinstated Towns at center, boosting offense but revealing defensive issues against the pick-and-roll.
As a result, Josh Hart (Knicks guard) declined, and Mitchell Robinson started the final four games of the Knicks’ series against the Indiana Pacers.