Jalen Brunson is not buying into the Karl-Anthony Towns ‘soft’ narrative one bit

INDIANAPOLIS — Jalen Brunson heard the reputation when Karl-Anthony Towns was with the Timberwolves. Now teammates on the Knicks, Brunson believes he’s seeing the reality. 

Rather than a player who is soft, he has seen one who constantly has fought through injuries. 

“I mean, there are narratives with traded players on other teams,” Brunson said Saturday morning at Knicks shootaround ahead of Game 6. “And when you get to the team, it’s, ‘Oh, that guy is not really like that.’ It’s just, that’s how narratives work. They’re usually probably false. I have the utmost respect for him and the way he’s been able to play throughout this entire season and playoffs. We’re all banged up, but we’re all gonna push through. I had faith that he was gonna play last game.” 


Karl-Anthony Towns #32 and Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks react during the fourth quarter against the Indiana Pacers in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 27, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks react during the fourth quarter against the Indiana Pacers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 27, 2025. Getty Images

Towns was questionable for Game 5 with a knee injury, but he played 36 minutes and recorded 24 points on 10-for-20 shooting and 13 rebounds. 


Follow The Post’s coverage of the Knicks in the 2025 NBA Playoffs

Sports+ subscribers: Sign up for Inside the Knicks to get daily newsletter coverage and join Expert Take for insider texts about the series.


He was not on the Knicks injury report entering Saturday’s Game 6. 

Towns, whom the Knicks acquired from the Timberwolves in the blockbuster deal that sent Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to Minnesota, was named to the All-NBA third team this year.

But due to his preference to shoot from outside the arc rather than bang bodies in the paint and his weak defense, a narrative that Towns is soft has hovered over him much of his career. 

Brunson isn’t buying it. 


New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns #32, driving to the basket guarded by Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner #33, in the 4th quarter.
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns driving to the basket guarded by Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner in the fourth quarter. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

“I knew that he was a player that was gonna help us win,” Brunson said. “He’s helped us get to this point. And so I think no matter what the situation is, he’s gonna continue to do that.” 

You May Also Like

Carlos Rodon looks the All-Star part as he twirls best start of his Yankees career

Certainly, it was an All-Star day for Carlos Rodón. Hours after it…

Report: Both Bongino and Patel May Resign If Pam Bondi Stays As Attorney General

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino is on the verge of walking…

Myles Turner opens up on shocking decision to bolt from Pacers to Bucks

Myles Turner is bidding Pacers fans a fond farewell after his 10-year…

Chicago weather: Tornado Watch expires as severe storms move through with heavy rain | LIVE RADAR

CHICAGO (WLS) — More severe weather hit the Chicago area on Friday…