Overview
- The All-Star center was subbed out with 9:24 remaining and did not return as New York finished off a 123-114 road victory in Portland.
- New York outscored the Trail Blazers 31-20 after Towns exited, with Brown noting he typically closes with Towns but kept the unit that had momentum.
- Towns produced 20 points and 11 rebounds in 28 minutes before sitting the final stretch.
- Mitchell Robinson replaced Towns down the stretch and supplied rim protection and rebounding, while Brown also briefly used smaller looks with Josh Hart or OG Anunoby at the five.
- Brown said he is working to simplify responsibilities for Towns as the big man continues adapting to the system; Hart’s return also reshuffled minutes, leading to Tyler Kolek’s DNP.