In a tightly-contested Tuesday matchup, the New York Knicks took down its crosstown rival Nets, 99-95. New York has been fueled by its core four of Jalen Brunso

Karl-Anthony Towns had 25 points and 16 rebounds, Jalen Brunson scored eight points down the stretch and finished with 17 as the New York Knicks beat the Brooklyn Nets 99-95.

The Knicks hit the road to face the Brooklyn Nets at 7:30 p.m. ET after hosting the Atlanta Hawks on Monday. Check out Karl-Anthony Towns' status for tonight.

Towns has missed the Knicks' last two games after injuring his Thumb during a Jan. 13 loss to the Detroit Pistons. The star center played through discomfort, posting 26 points and 12 rebounds on 7-of-17 shooting from the field, 4-of-9 from three and 8-of-10 from the free-throw line. He declined to say whether he underwent X-rays following the loss.

Whereas most play with a chip on their shoulder, New York Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns will operate with one in his thumb. Per Stefan Bondy and Peter Botte of

Karl-Anthony Towns missed his second straight game because of a sprained right thumb, sitting out against his former team when the New York Knicks hosted Minnesota on Friday night.

The Minnesota Timberwolves traded Karl-Anthony Towns to the Knicks based in part because they craved flexibility.

Acquired in a blockbuster preseason trade that sent Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, and a first-round pick to Minnesota, Towns has unlocked new dimensions in New York’s offense with his ability to stretch the floor playing the stretch five at Madison Square Garden.

Karl-Anthony Towns has jumped into elite company within the NBA MVP race as the New York Knicks big man earns praise for strong season.

The Wolves' Anthony Edwards shoots over New York's Mikal Bridges in the first half Friday. (Frank Franklin II/The Associated Press)