EMIRATES NBA CUP

December 13, 2025

Karl-Anthony Towns

New York Knicks

Semifinal Postgame

New York Knicks 132, Orlando Magic 120

Q. Karl, the physical play by both teams, what they do, did you guys kind of take that as a we're-going-to-match-this-and-top-it, exceed it?

KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS: I just think that, you know, when you're playing a great team and you know what they do so well, you've got to either match it or exceed it. Their physicality and their pace is something that makes them special.

We knew coming into this game that we needed to be physical, and we needed to match their pace and slow them down on their fast breaks. And I thought we did a great job out there, like I said, playing Knicks Basketball, causing turnovers, utilizing transition points.

When they got on their runs, we minimized the bleeding. That's a great job by us and it's a focused attack by us, as well.

Q. Mike praised your defense today, and especially of late. Do you think that's a part of your game that's maybe underappreciated or under-recognized?

KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS: I just want to impact winning, and I'm happy that tonight I was able to do that and win a game here, first game back in Vegas since Summer League and to find myself on the winning side is a blessing, it's an honor. And to do it with this group of guys in this locker room is a tremendous honor, and love my brothers, that we were able to do what we set out to do tonight.

Obviously, we'll enjoy this tonight, and we'll look back in and get ready for our next opponent.

Q. Two and a half months in, what's your impression of Mike Brown on and off the court?

KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS: Very personable guy. Obviously, loves to laugh. With his new offensive, defensive system, we're all adjusting. He's doing his best to make it easy for us to transition and to do the best we can to impact the game.

I think recently we've been playing very good basketball, and even though we still could be better. The fact that we are doing this right now, and we are still learning but we are winning games while learning is a testament to the coaching staff and it's a testament to these guys in the locker room that are willing to sacrifice and do whatever it takes to win.

Q. The NBA Cup has provided teams a lot of looking ahead towards the playoffs, I know it's a lot time away -- but what do these games, and especially looking ahead to the championship game, which is going to be a Game 7 environment, how does that prepare you guys for the rest of the road and potentially going far in the playoffs like you guys want to?

KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS: Like you said, in a way, it's a good warm up to having a playoff atmosphere and a playoff game. I thought that -- one, shout-out to the NBA and the NBA PA doing a good job making the NBA Cup as competitive as it needs to be and, I think the fans are appreciating it. Shout-out to them.

Like you said it's a playoff atmosphere, and with money on the line and pride on the line, more importantly, than anything, I think it's bringing out the best in the NBA teams, and it's kind of bringing the fans playoff basketball earlier in the season than ever.

Q. Is this the first time you've played in this building? Curious on your thoughts on the atmosphere in this particular building.

KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS: It's a good question. It's my first time playing in T-Mobile. I've only been here to watch UFC. So it's pretty cool to not have to fight but get to do what I do best and play basketball.

First time here. It's a magical place that I spent a lot of Saturday nights watching on TV. You know, to be part of, I guess, the history of T-Mobile Arena with the NBA Cup and to be here right now is an honor, and hopefully that we could make more history on Tuesday.

Q. The starting lineup made 90 percent of the points tonight. How important is it for you guys to have so many options on offense?

KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS: I mean, you said -- like you said, I didn't know that, but 90 percent of the points came from the starters. But it was that 10 percent from the bench that really changed the game. You know, Tyler Kolek, Mitch, JC, Guersch, those guys, especially, Tyler, changed the game.

You know, when we needed that boost and they were playing well in the run, it was people like Mitch, Tyler, JC, who came in the game and just changed the energy of the game.

And Tyler did a fantastic job today, our young fella, of impacting winning. And he did that on a big stage tonight, and he was able to -- I think one of his finest games as an NBA player was tonight, and may not show up on the stats sheet, but everybody in our locker room knows how important he was to us tonight. And if you were watching the game as a Knicks fan or just a fan of basketball, he showed what it is to be ready and to be ready for his opportunity, and he maximized it tonight.