Knicks Notes: Karl-Anthony Towns, Tyler Kolek, Kevin McCullar Jr., schedule

Karl-Anthony Towns knows the math, and he knows the problem.

The Knicks big man leads the league in charges by a wide margin, and it has already cost him stretches of games. Early foul trouble has pulled him out of rhythm and, at times, out of the game plan entirely.

Towns said he is not backing down, but he also acknowledged adjustments may be coming.

“I’m going to keep doing my thing,” Towns said, via Stefan Bondy of the New York Post. “Maybe I’ll have to change my game up a little bit, if that’s what they’re trying to tell me I need to do.”

It is a balancing act. Stay aggressive, but stay available. Right now, the whistle is winning.

Kolek gets his shot

Opportunity finally knocked for Tyler Kolek, and he answered.

With Miles McBride sidelined, Kolek moved into the rotation after weeks of watching. Assistant coach Rick Brunson gave him the heads-up on the fly.

Kolek said the staff has pointed him toward T.J. McConnell as a blueprint. Not flashy. Not explosive. Just effective.

Coach Mike Brown said the message has been simple, per Bondy. Namely, lean into skill, feel, and toughness, especially on defense. The minutes have been uneven, but the trust is real, particularly late.

McCullar makes noise

Saturday’s win over Atlanta belonged to Kevin McCullar Jr.

After logging fewer than six total minutes entering the night, McCullar delivered 13 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and two steals in just over 23 minutes. He hit 3-of-6 from deep and made life miserable for Trae Young, who went scoreless when McCullar was the primary defender, according to Bondy.

Brown said McCullar earned every extra minute. The plan was limited. The performance changed that.

Road reality check

Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News notes the Knicks will play eight of their next 11 on the road. They are 5-7 away from home and already thin, with injuries affecting McBride, Josh Hart, and Landry Shamet.

Depth, discipline, and availability are about to matter a lot more.