A move back to center has accelerated Karl-Anthony Towns’ recovery.

The 29-year-old collected a game-high 19 boards in Sunday’s 118-85 win over the Pelicans, raising his average to a career-best 13 per game.

It’s somewhat of a throwback to Towns’ earlier career, including three seasons under Tom Thibodeau with the Timberwolves, when he averaged more than 12 rebounds.

Over the past three years, however, Towns’ value has been in the single digits. The drop coincided with Towns moving to power forward to accommodate the arrival of Rudy Gobert in Minnesota.

“With Rudy, he played a lot more outside the basket,” Thibodeau said. “He’s a great rebounder. Always been a great rebounder. He’s longer than you think, long arms, strong, really strong. Great anticipation. His experiences also helped him a lot.”

Jalen Brunson echoed that point, criticizing Josh Hart’s reputation for stealing rebounds.

“I think when you’re in a different situation, you have to adapt,” Brunson said. “He was able to adapt. I think all great players know that they can impact the game in every way possible. Whatever it takes to win. He knows that. And he adapts. He goes out there and gets every board, even if it means fighting with Josh.”

Rookie Pacome Dadiet was demoted to the G League and dropped 12 inefficient points in his debut for the Westchester Knicks on Sunday.

Dadiet, selected 25th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, represents the Knicks’ first first-round pick in three years but was always viewed as a long-term project as a Frenchman just 19 years old. He had a few brief moments in the senior Knicks’ rotation, averaging 1.9 points in 10 appearances.

But Dadiet wasn’t on the roster for Sunday’s game against the Pelicans because he played for Westchester.

Thibodeau indicated that Dadiet will continue to commute back and forth with the G League team while training with the senior Knicks.

“(It’s) situational,” Thibodeau said. “So there was an opportunity to get some game time, take advantage of it that way. And he will be back with us for training. The nice thing about it is the structure where we both practice in the same building. So take advantage of it.”

Dadiet shot 4 of 13, including 2 of 6 from distance, while notching four steals as the Westchester Knicks lost 129-127 to Capital City Go-Go.

The Knicks observed a moment of silence before tipping off for former St. John’s coach Lou Carnesecca, who died Saturday at age 99.

The Hall of Famer led the Johnnies to two Big East Tournament titles and a Final Four appearance in 1985.