Karl-Anthony Towns posted 13 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists as New York held off Toronto 122-120, surviving a Malachi Smith three and a Pacome Dadiet turnover before Jaden Bradley missed the potential winner. The result closed an uneven preseason at 1-2, and came the same day the Knicks waived Ochai Agbaji and Tony Bradley, with Drew Eubanks done for the season on a torn pectoral.
Held On Late
Tyler Nickel's free throws pushed it to 117-122. Smith's three pulled Toronto within two with 11 seconds left. Dadiet turned it over in the backcourt on the next possession, but Bradley's driving layup for the tie rimmed out, and New York closed it out, 122-120.
Towns, Loud
Thirteen points undersells it. Towns added 15 rebounds and nine assists, one board and one dish shy of a triple-double, in his first game since the club paused his extension talks. He shot 4-for-8 from the floor and 2-for-5 from deep in 29 minutes, the loudest answer he had available on a night without words.
Two Centers Gone
The frontcourt picture changed hours after the final buzzer. New York waived Ochai Agbaji and Tony Bradley, and Drew Eubanks is out for the year, a torn pectoral ending his season and his roster spot with it. That leaves Wiseman and Drummond as the only depth behind Towns at center.
Opener In Sight
Preseason finishes at 1-2. The real opener comes October 20 against the 76ers at the Garden on NBC and Peacock, and Josh Hart's ankle is pointed at that exact date for his return. Drummond, used in relief for 14 points and eight rebounds, plus Shamet and McBride, each a plus-14 in their minutes, gave Brown bench scoring to build on.
The Bottom Line
One preseason win doesn't settle whether a thinner center rotation holds once games count, and it doesn't touch the bigger question hanging over Towns. New York has until October 20, when Philadelphia visits for real, to find out.
Did the Knicks waive Ochai Agbaji and Tony Bradley?
Yes. New York released both players on October 15, along with Drew Eubanks, who is out for the season with a torn pectoral muscle.
When do the Knicks play their regular-season opener?
October 20, at home against the 76ers, airing on NBC and Peacock.
More from The Garden Line
all Knicks news →
Postgame · Thu, Oct 15Knicks Snatch One Back From Toronto In The Final Minute
Cap watch · Thu, Oct 15Knicks Jam The Second Apron While Towns' Price Climbs
Morning · Thu, Oct 15Brown Brings The Starters Back For Raptors Rematch
Morning · Wed, Oct 14Knicks' Reserves Get Buried In Toronto
Morning · Tue, Oct 13Knicks Rest All Five Starters For Toronto
Morning · Mon, Oct 12Towns Says Nobody Told Him The Talks Were Dead