NBA Notes: Knicks, Karl-Anthony Towns, Jazz, Keyonte George, Magic

Knicks

The Knicks are tuning out the noise and circling the wagons.

With the trade deadline approaching and Giannis Antetokounmpo rumors continuing to swirl around New York, head coach Mike Brown said the team is leaning into what he called a “bunker mentality.”

“We understand that we have no control over the noise out there,” Brown said, via Ian Begley of SNY. “So we have to have a bunker mentality. Not just at the trade deadline but all the time.”

Brown said the focus has been on staying connected internally and continuing to improve, even as speculation ramps up.

One player who has responded on the floor is Karl-Anthony Towns. The big man has pulled down 20 or more rebounds in back-to-back games, including a dominant showing in a blowout win over Portland that extended New York’s winning streak to five.

“To me, that’s what great players do,” Brown said. “They impact the game in a lot of different ways.”

Jalen Brunson echoed that sentiment, crediting Towns for finding ways to influence games even when shots are not falling.

“That’s what he brings to the table,” Brunson said. “Big time performance for him.”

Jazz

Utah may be facing a short-term setback.

Guard Keyonte George suffered a left ankle sprain late in Friday’s loss to Brooklyn, as relayed by Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune. X-rays were negative, but George was noticeably limping postgame and being evaluated by the training staff.

George is in the midst of a breakout third season, averaging more than 24 points per game while shooting efficiently across the board. He finished Friday with 26 points on 9-of-11 shooting before exiting.

If George misses time, Isaiah Collier and rookie Walter Clayton are among the candidates for expanded roles. Elijah Harkless remains sidelined with a hamstring injury but told Larsen he expects to return in a couple weeks after earning G League Player of the Month honors in December.

Magic

Orlando is pushing back on reports of internal friction.

On ESPN’s Hoop Collective podcast, Tim MacMahon said there has been league chatter suggesting head coach Jamahl Mosley and Paolo Banchero might not be aligned. Both addressed the report this week.

“That’s outside opinion,” Mosley said, via Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel. “What me and Paolo have is a constant level of competitiveness that wants to find a way to get a win.”

Banchero was more direct.

“We have a lot of open communication,” he said. “I wouldn’t say those reports are true.”

Banchero acknowledged frustration during losing stretches but emphasized alignment between himself, Mosley, and the organization.

“I think winning cures all,” he said. “The more we win, the more quiet those reports will get.”