Karl-Anthony Towns Has Sprained Wrist Injury; Questionable for Knicks vs. Pistons

New York Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns is listed as questionable for the team’s matchup with the Detroit Pistons on Friday due to a sprained left wrist.

Towns scored a season-high 44 points in 39 minutes during the Knicks’ 116-107 win over the Miami Heat on Wednesday night. The center also racked up 13 rebounds and two assists, shooting 17-25 from the field and connecting on four of his five attempts from behind the arc.

Despite New York’s modest 2-2 record to open the season, Towns has started strong with his new team.

He’s currently averaging 22.5 points and 11.3 rebounds per game while shooting 58.5 percent from the field and 95.2 percent on free throws. The 28-year-old has also showcased his long-range accuracy, hitting eight of his 11 three-point attempts to begin the year.

Towns was acquired by the Knicks in a blockbuster trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sept. 27. The Timberwolves received a package headlined by Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo and a future first-round pick in return.

The four-time All-Star has already established himself as one of the best floor-spacing centers in NBA history, but Towns’ availability has become an issue in recent years. Over the past two seasons, he’s appeared in just 91 of a possible 164 regular-season contests.

This included a right calf strain that limited him to just 29 games played during his 2022-23 campaign.

Towns may still be able to play through the wrist sprain against Detroit, but Jericho Sims is expected to replace him in the Knicks’ starting lineup if he can’t suit up. Rookie center Ariel Hukporti could also receive extended playing time off the bench.

With or without Towns, New York will continue its four-game road trip against the Pistons on Friday. Tip-off is at 7 p.m. ET.