BREAKING: New York Knicks Center Karl-Anthony Towns Out for the Season with Knee Injury Involving Meniscus
The New York Knicks have been dealt a devastating blow as their star center, Karl-Anthony Towns, will miss the remainder of the season due to a serious left knee injury sustained during their recent game against the Boston Celtics. Sources close to the team confirmed that the injury involves the meniscus, a critical structure in the knee, which will require surgery to repair, effectively ruling Towns out for the remainder of the 2025 season.
The incident occurred in the second quarter of what was shaping up to be an exciting matchup between the Knicks and the Celtics on February 23, 2025, at Madison Square Garden. Towns, who was playing in his first season with the Knicks after being traded from the Minnesota Timberwolves, was pivoting for a rebound when he awkwardly landed on his left leg, immediately grabbing at his knee in visible pain.
Medical staff rushed to his side, and after a brief period of assessment, Towns was helped off the court. The initial fear among fans and team officials alike was that the injury could be significant, and further tests revealed the worst-case scenario. An MRI confirmed that Towns had torn his meniscus, and surgery was recommended as soon as possible.
The loss of Towns is a crushing blow for the Knicks, who were counting on the 6-foot-11 center to anchor their offense and defense. After joining the Knicks in a trade that sent several players and future draft picks to Minnesota, Towns had quickly become a central figure in New York’s hopes of making a deep playoff run. His ability to stretch the floor with his three-point shooting, combined with his elite rebounding and shot-blocking, made him an integral part of their rotation.
In the game against the Celtics, Towns had been showing flashes of his All-Star form. He had posted 12 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists in just 17 minutes of play before going down with the injury. The Knicks were leading the Celtics by 5 points when Towns was forced to exit, but without their star center, the team’s defense faltered, and the Celtics capitalized on the momentum to secure a 106-98 victory.
Head coach Tom Thibodeau expressed his concern and disappointment following the game. “Karl has been an incredible presence for us both on the court and in the locker room,” Thibodeau said. “This is a tough break for him personally and for our team. We all feel for him, but we also have to keep moving forward. We have a great group, and we’ll adjust as best we can.”
Towns himself took to social media to express his gratitude for the support from fans, teammates, and medical staff. “I want to thank everyone for their messages. It’s heartbreaking to be sidelined for the rest of the season, but I’m going to focus on my recovery and come back stronger next year. The Knicks are a family, and I’ll be rooting for them every step of the way.”
The Knicks’ medical team is expected to move quickly on scheduling the surgery, which will likely keep Towns out for several months. His recovery timeline suggests he will not be ready for the 2025 playoffs, should the Knicks qualify.
In Towns’ absence, the Knicks will have to lean heavily on their remaining big men, including Mitchell Robinson, who will be asked to take on an expanded role. Julius Randle, New York’s other star player, will also need to carry an even heavier load offensively, as the team attempts to remain competitive in the Eastern Conference.
The injury further complicates New York’s playoff hopes as they sit in a tight race in the Eastern Conference standings. With several teams battling for positioning, the Knicks will need their depth and the emergence of other players to fill the void left by Towns. The front office, however, will likely explore trade or free-agent options to provide additional support, especially in the frontcourt.
While the loss of Karl-Anthony Towns is a devastating setback for the Knicks, the team is determined to push forward. Towns’ absence will undoubtedly be felt, but New York’s resilience and team chemistry will be put to the test as they face the challenges ahead without one of their key pillars.
As for Towns, the focus will now shift to his recovery. The Knicks’ medical staff will work closely with him to ensure a full recovery so that he can return next season to continue his career in New York. Fans and teammates alike are hopeful that, despite this season-ending injury, Towns will be back stronger than ever in 2026.
