Because the calendar flipped to a brand new 12 months, Knicks heart Karl-Anthony Cities had one ultimate factor to remove from 2024 as he was named NBA’s Jap Convention Participant of the Month for December. It is the primary time Cities has earned the distinction in his profession.
KAT will get the distinction after he averaged 23.2 factors and 14.6 rebounds in 14 December video games, which helped New York go a powerful 12-2 earlier than the brand new 12 months, together with capping off 2024 by successful eight straight. After successful their first recreation of 2025, the Knicks at the moment are 24-10, winners of 9 in a row and in third place within the convention.
Cities, 29, is having a superb first season in New York after coming over from the Minnesota Timberwolves in an offseason commerce. In 32 video games so far, the 7-footer is averaging 24.9 factors — essentially the most since his 2019-20 season (26.5) — in addition to a career-high 13.7 rebounds and three.3 assists. His 54.8 capturing proportion from the ground and 44 % from three are additionally the very best of his 10-year profession.
The Edison, N.J. native has slot in seamlessly with the remainder of head coach Tom Thibodeau’s beginning lineup who’ve begun to peak since a little bit of a gradual begin. Cities and Jalen Brunson have particularly loved enjoying off one another, creating havoc for opposing defenses.
