Karl-Anthony Towns had his best game of the 2025-26 season Monday night against the Washington Wizards, dropping 33 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists on 50% shooting from the field in the team’s 119-102 win.

Towns understood the assignment early on — to dominate the 2024 second overall pick in the NBA Draft, Alex Sarr. Despite the 20-year-old second-year player showing glimpses of interior defense and shot-blocking ability, Towns attacked Sarr from both the three-point line and inside the paint.

Mike Brown’s Comments

Head coach Mike Brown had high praise for the All-Star center, describing his impact and the journey going forward.

“KAT was a monster. He was a monster on the glass, he was really good defensively, he was a monster inside and outside. He’s starting to feel and find his rhythm in what we’re trying to do… but I’m telling you, there’s still a lot of room for him to grow — not just for him, but for us to learn him.”

Towns wasted little time in the early moments of the game, scoring eight of his 33 points in the first quarter — a line that also included six rebounds and three assists. Continuing to fight through a quad strain that has impacted both his mobility and lateral quickness, Towns made sure to leave his mark early on, showing no signs of slowing down.

KAT: The Tone Setter

It’s no secret the Knicks want the most out of KAT — not just last night, but throughout the course of the season. Playing on the second night of a back-to-back, the team was without Mitchell Robinson, forcing Towns to take on a heavier workload than he’s used to. While he logged just 30 minutes of action, his usage rate was significantly higher given the defensive matchups the Wizards threw at him.

As for Towns’ progression, it’s a clear indication he’s heading in the right direction despite the obstacles thrown his way. Monday’s game marked the first time this season he’s shot at least 50% from the field and the first time he’s cracked 30-plus points. It wasn’t just the rebounding that stood out — his five assists also contributed to the team’s 32 total assists on the night. Last season, New York went 24-4 in games recording 30 or more assists, a clear indication that passing and movement lead directly to wins.

Rematch Made in Heaven

Looking ahead, Towns’ next matchup will be against his former team, the Minnesota Timberwolves. During last year’s meeting between the two squads, Towns tallied 32 points, 20 rebounds, and six assists. If Minnesota remains without Anthony Edwards, Towns could be in line for an even easier night to one-up his previous performance.

“I'm a Knick, so I ain't thinking about nothing else but this team,” Towns said post-game.