During Wednesday night’s matchup at Madison Square Garden, New York Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns left the court and headed to the locker room after suffering a significant injury following a collision with Denver Nuggets player Spencer Jones. The incident took place late in the first quarter when Towns crashed into Jones while driving to the basket, resulting in a severe cut near Towns’ right eye.
Despite blood staining his jersey and a head-bandage applied, Towns managed to sink both free throws before being substituted by Mitchell Robinson. The All-Star big man then retreated to the locker room, likely for medical attention and a fresh uniform. Although most of the Knicks’ starters had returned by the middle of the second quarter, Towns was initially absent but reappeared before the quarter ended with a new bandage covering his eye and a clean jersey free of blood marks.
Jones was also impacted by the collision, with the Nuggets confirming he was questionable to return due to a head contusion.
In other NBA news, several major trades have taken place around the league. The Dallas Mavericks, acknowledging a misstep in their February 2025 trade for Luka Doncic, have sent Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards along with other players, receiving multiple draft picks and players in return. Notably, the Cleveland Cavaliers acquired James Harden from the Los Angeles Clippers, while the Clippers saw Chris Paul move to the Toronto Raptors. Additionally, the Chicago Bulls, Philadelphia 76ers, Atlanta Hawks, and Memphis Grizzlies all made significant roster changes ahead of the trade deadline, shaking up team dynamics across the NBA.
This story has been updated to reflect the latest details.
Fan Take: Karl-Anthony Towns’ injury is a critical moment that reminds fans how fragile the game can be for elite athletes, potentially affecting the Knicks’ playoff ambitions. Meanwhile, the flurry of trades signals a shifting landscape in the NBA, promising an exciting and unpredictable finish to the season.

