Acquired in a blockbuster preseason trade that sent Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, and a first-round pick to Minnesota, Towns has unlocked new dimensions in New York’s offense with his ability to stretch the floor playing the stretch five at Madison Square Garden.

Kevin Garnett suggested the Knicks stars take a similar approach with Thibodeau. “My only problem with a lot of the traditional stuff, it doesn’t download the latest update. Our league is

Towns has missed the Knicks' last two games after injuring his Thumb during a Jan. 13 loss to the Detroit Pistons. The star center played through discomfort, posting 26 points and 12 rebounds on 7-of-17 shooting from the field, 4-of-9 from three and 8-of-10 from the free-throw line. He declined to say whether he underwent X-rays following the loss.

Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns has a bone chip in his right thumb to go along with the sprain he suffered in Monday's loss, sources confirmed.

On several occasions during the Knicks' 124-119 loss to the Detroit Pistons on Monday night, Karl-Anthony Towns was seen holding his right thumb and doubled over in apparent pain.

Karl-Anthony Towns likely is the player the Knicks can least do without, especially with Mitchell Robinson still unable to practice.

New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) shakes hands with New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau as he exits the game during the th

Karl-Anthony Towns (thumb) will play, Knicks say. Josh Hart (neck) will also play, team says.Source: Twitter @IanBegley What’s the buzz on Twitter? Ball Don’t Lie