The Lakers take on the Knicks in a game between two teams marching up the series. Will the Knicks have their starting center available?

New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns is expected to return to the lineup on Thursday against the Los Angeles Lakers, according to multiple reports. Towns missed the Knicks' game against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday due to personal reasons.

New York’s offense went flat without Towns in the 114-102 loss to the Warriors, managing just 21 points in the fourth quarter.