NBA roundup: Towns stars as Knicks edge Raptors in thrilling showdown in Toronto

Karl-Anthony Towns recorded a double-double, contributing 24 points and 15 rebounds, as the New York Knicks prepared for the NBA Cup quarter-finals with a hard-fought 113-108 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Monday.

Towns returned to the lineup after sitting out the Knicks' previous loss to Detroit on Saturday due to a sore right knee, a defeat that halted New York's four-game winning streak.

His presence was crucial in a physically demanding match that saw 19 lead changes.

RJ Barrett of Toronto, a former Knick, equalized the score at 108-108 with a finger roll layup with 42.1 seconds left on the clock.

However, Towns, assisted by Jalen Brunson, executed a driving layup, and following a significant block by former Raptor OG Anunoby, he secured the victory with a three-pointer with just 6.3 seconds remaining.

This matchup in Toronto was the sole game on Monday as the league prepared for the knockout stage of the NBA Cup this week.

The quarter-finals will commence on Tuesday, featuring the Milwaukee Bucks against the Orlando Magic and the Oklahoma City Thunder facing the Dallas Mavericks.

On Wednesday, the Knicks will host the Atlanta Hawks, while the Houston Rockets will take on the Golden State Warriors.

The victorious teams will advance to the semi-finals on Saturday in Las Vegas, culminating in the final on December 17.

Mikal Bridges contributed 23 points, while Brunson added 20 points and 11 assists for the Knicks, who have triumphed in 10 of their last 13 games.

Anunoby scored 14 points in his first appearance in Toronto since joining the Knicks.

Barrett led the Raptors with 30 points, while rookie Ja'Kobe Walter achieved a career-high 19 points, and Scottie Barnes added 15 points before leaving the game in the third quarter due to a sprained right ankle after colliding with Towns under the basket.

This injury marks another setback for Barnes, the 2022 NBA Rookie of the Year, who has already missed 11 games this season due to a right orbital fracture.

SportsLigue