Karl-Anthony Towns made a thunderous statement in his fourth game as a New York Knick, leading his team to a 116-107 victory over the Miami Heat with a season-high 44 points.

The former Minnesota Timberwolves star showcased his scoring prowess, shooting an impressive 17-of-25 from the field. Towns also grabbed 13 rebounds, demonstrating his value as a double-double threat.

”I love his approach because he’s not forcing anything,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said. “He’s letting the game come to him.”

Towns’ performance was historic for the Knicks. He became the first New York center to score 44 points in a game since Patrick Ewing in 1995. The 44-point outburst also ranks as the fourth-highest scoring game by a Knick against the Heat in their 173-game rivalry.

The 7-footer’s success in Miami is no fluke. Towns averages 25.4 points per game in his career at Miami, his second-highest road average against any opponent.

”The weather,” Towns joked when asked about his success in Miami. “I was in Minnesota. It’s cold. It’s hot here. I like that.”

Towns’ shooting efficiency was particularly noteworthy. He made 11 catch-and-shoot baskets, tying for the second-most by a Knicks player since player tracking began in 2013-14.

The dominant performance comes just weeks after Towns was traded to New York in exchange for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo. While his first three games were solid, this outing signals Towns’ potential to be a game-changing force for the Knicks.

As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Towns to see if he can maintain this level of play and help elevate the Knicks in the competitive Eastern Conference.