Overview
- Karl-Anthony Towns attempted only five shots in 29 minutes during the Knicks’ Feb. 24 loss to the Cavaliers, drawing on-air criticism from Lou Williams and ESPN’s Tim MacMahon.
- Former coach Sam Mitchell faulted Mike Brown for Towns’ deployment, while season numbers show Towns at a career-low 13.9 field-goal attempts and his lowest scoring since his rookie year.
- The Lakers have dropped three straight, including a last-second defeat to the Suns, falling to 34-24 with a narrow hold on sixth place and renewed Play-In risk.
- Defensive issues remain pronounced for Los Angeles, with coverage citing a 24th-ranked defensive rating and a decline from a 13-0 clutch start to 3-5 in recent tight games.
- Austin Reaves labeled his frustration level ‘very high,’ JJ Redick said the team’s losses are ‘louder’ than others, Marcus Smart pointed to miscommunication, and Kendrick Perkins blasted the coaching and defense on ESPN.