The New York Knicks have picked up the pace since beginning the season 0-3, now having won five of their last six games to get over .500 for the first time this season.
The latest victory was an impressive win on the road over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night, with the Knicks winning 109-97. That success was largely due to the duo of Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, who combined for 60 points in the game.
Brunson is always the focal point, but it is Towns who is making history with his start to the season. The center had perhaps his best game of the young season, producing 29 points and 13 rebounds in the victory.
Karl-Anthony Towns tonight 29 points 13 rebounds 3 assists 11-21 FG https://t.co/fAAzhynRWW
— Teg🚨 (@IQfor3) November 8, 2026That double-double continues a trend for Towns, who has become a double-double machine for the Knicks. The veteran center is still producing even though his contract status is up in the air beyond this season.
Here's more on the history Towns is making with the Knicks.
Karl-Anthony Towns' double-double streak
Towns has now recorded a double-double in each of his first nine games this season, the longest such streak for the Knicks to begin a season since Charles Oakley reached nine games in 1989. The latest installment was a dominant performance against the Cavaliers, in which Towns produced 29 points and 13 rebounds.
🏀 SATURDAY'S FINAL SCORES 🏀 Karl-Anthony Towns records his 9th consecutive double-double to start the season as the @nyknicks win their third straight! Jalen Brunson: 31 PTS, 6 REB, 9 AST, 3 3PM OG Anunoby: 15 PTS, 6 REB, 3 3PM https://t.co/nHPZUD62rN
— NBA (@NBA) November 8, 2026Towns is currently averaging the second-most rebounds in the NBA with 13.6, and he is one of 10 players to average double-digit rebounds this season. Of those 10, Towns is one of four players averaging at least 20 points per game, but each of the other three is averaging fewer rebounds per game than he is.
In his career, Towns has never averaged 13 rebounds per game in a season, which would make this year's number a career high. However, his 20.9 points per game would be the second straight season he has averaged fewer than 21 points per game.
It is not a surprise that Towns' rebound numbers are up instead of his points, as he's taken the mindset of being a team-oriented player.
"As you get older and older, you start realizing that all the times you was trying to prove to people everything, you were never going to make everyone happy," he said after the Cavaliers win. "Stop trying to prove yourself to everyone, just bring the best product and the best version of yourself to the court every single day."
"Stop trying to prove yourself to everyone, just bring the best product and the best version of yourself to the court every single day." Karl-Anthony Towns reflects on the mindset that has helped him prioritize winning over his individual performance throughout his career https://t.co/JMNxOX7mkP
— Knicks Fan TV 🏀🎥📺🏁 (@KnicksFanTv) November 8, 2026Now that Towns has an NBA Championship to his name, the center appears to have a healthy mindset that is driving his success with the Knicks.
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Karl-Anthony Towns contract status
Towns' contract situation has been under scrutiny to begin the season, since the center is due for a new deal but has not found common ground with the Knicks on one. After this season, Towns has a $61 million player option remaining on his current deal before hitting free agency in 2028.
Despite the uncertainty, Towns is not letting the contract status get in the way of defending the Knicks' title.
"I can't allow outside distractions and ego to get in the way," he said, via Newsday. "We won last year because we put our egos to the side and we did what's best for the city, best for this team, for this organization. And we sacrificed, and I'm always gonna be willing to sacrifice for my brothers and this family that we built here."
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