New York Knicks Face Early Struggles Amid Star Karl-Anthony Towns' Decline

The New York Knicks entered the 2025-26 NBA season with high expectations but have struggled early, with a 2-2 start including back-to-back losses to the Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks. Karl-Anthony Towns, expected to be a key player, has underperformed significantly, shooting just 35.2% from the field and averaging 17 points per game, well below his career averages. Towns has openly expressed frustration and uncertainty about his new role under coach Mike Brown, acknowledging he has not fully embraced it and taking responsibility for recent poor performances. Analysts and the coaching staff have criticized Towns' lack of pace and defensive effort, with some suggesting his struggles are deep-rooted and unlikely to be resolved simply by coaching changes. Meanwhile, the Knicks are also reflecting on past roster decisions, notably trading Ajay Mitchell, who has become a standout performer for the Oklahoma City Thunder, averaging 18.2 points per game and contributing significantly off the bench. The Knicks face pressure to improve their offensive consistency and bench production as they prepare for upcoming challenging games.