Karl-Anthony Towns revealed a leaner physique at the New York Knicks’ Media Day on Monday, confirming he lost weight over the summer to improve his health and performance. The Knicks center, who stood out as a key contributor during their championship run last season, said the weight loss helps protect his knees and increase his quickness.

“It’s good for my body, my knees,” Towns said. “And it keeps me young.” Unlike many players who tend to shed pounds during training camp, Towns follows a different routine, gaining weight during the season and then slimming down in the offseason. While this approach may reduce his strength in the post, the 7-foot-0 center said the benefits of enhanced mobility and injury prevention outweigh the potential drawbacks.

Towns, who turned 30 last November, did not specify the exact amount he lost but was noticeably slimmer compared to last season, when he weighed 248 pounds. “I always lose a lot of the weight,” he explained. “I put on a lot of weight for the season.” He also noted that his wife approved of his new look.

The 2025-26 season proved a milestone for Towns, as he helped lead the Knicks to their first NBA championship since 1973, reaching new heights as a playmaker. His assists surged by 60 percent during the playoffs, a factor that energized New York’s offense and contributed to a 13-game winning streak. Head coach Mike Brown confirmed that the team intends to maintain and expand on that offensive strategy this season, with Towns playing a central role at the elbow. “We will go with that and evolve into other things throughout the course of [the] year based on where we are as a team,” Brown said.

Brown also commented on Towns’ offseason weight loss, noting he has not yet evaluated the player’s current condition but trusts that he and the Knicks’ performance staff will tailor his training to maximize strength, speed, and quickness. Towns’ change in body composition aligns with the trend among veteran frontcourt players to adapt their physiques for longevity, a method popularized by Hall of Famer Tim Duncan.

Towns’ upcoming contract status remains unresolved, adding an element of uncertainty as he prepares for what promises to be another significant season with the Knicks.