New York looks to the All-Star center for leadership while he grieves the death of a close family friend, writes .

Karl-Anthony Towns will miss Tuesday night’s game at the Garden due to personal reasons, head coach Tom Thibodeau told reporters. Thibodeau, when asked if Towns would travel with the Knicks to Los Angeles — where they play a back-to-back against the Lakers and Clippers on Thursday and Friday — said he still does not know.

Karl-Anthony Towns had 26 points and nine rebounds, and the New York Knicks beat the Sacramento Kings 133-104 on Monday night.