Karl-Anthony Towns saves the Knicks in Indianapolis and revives Eastern Conference Finals
Karl-Anthony Towns (7’0″, 29 years old) was the hero of an improbable comeback for the New York Knicks. Sunday night, in the electric atmosphere of Indianapolis’ Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the American center scored 20 of his 24 points in the final quarter to help his team overturn the Pacers. With this win, the Knicks avoid disaster and come within one victory of tying this Eastern Conference Finals series (2-1).
New York survives thanks to a stunning fourth quarter
Game 3’s scenario could have been fatal for the Knicks. Down by 20 points in the first half (55-35), then still trailing by 10 points entering the final quarter, Tom Thibodeau’s men seemed headed for a third straight loss. Especially since their leader Jalen Brunson, quickly in foul trouble, spent the entire third quarter on the bench with five fouls.
But Karl-Anthony Towns, despite a sore knee, took matters into his own hands. The former Wolves player strung together a 3-pointer, two layups, and a series of sharp drives to get his team back in the game. He finished with 24 points (including 20 in the 4th quarter) and 15 rebounds. He helped the Knicks take the lead at 89-88 after a Brunson drive with 7 minutes remaining.
Brunson finished with 23 points despite limited playing time due to foul trouble. But his return in crunch time allowed New York to maintain control, never leading by more than four points until the final free throws with 2.6 seconds left.
KAT EN MODE PATRON DANS LE 4ÈME QUART TEMPS DU GAME 3!
🗽 20 PTS
🗽 8 REB
🗽 6-9 FGM
🗽 3-4 3PM
🗽 5-6 FTMMatch 4 dans la nuit de mardi à 2H00
New York peut revenir à 2-2 🍿pic.twitter.com/fFv5y6w0Sp— NBA France (@NBAFRANCE) May 26, 2025
Indiana couldn’t close it out despite strong start
For the Pacers, Tyrese Haliburton (20 points, 6 assists) and Myles Turner (19 points) led the team during a well-controlled first half. In a special atmosphere – Indianapolis 500 race day, presence of Reggie Miller and several members of the 2000 Finals team – Rick Carlisle’s team seemed headed for another victory, their third straight in this series.
But Aaron Nesmith’s injury exit in the third quarter, combined with poor management in key moments, proved costly for the Pacers, who now face a mental deficit in the series despite their lead.
« We simply didn’t execute what we needed to at the end of the game, » Rick Carlisle admitted after the game.
Game 4 will take place Tuesday night, again in Indianapolis. The Knicks with Pacome Dadiet – who didn’t play – will have the chance to tie it 2-2 before returning to Madison Square Garden.
Tonight marks New York’s THIRD 20-point comeback during this year’s playoffs…
It’s the MOST in a single playoff run in the PxP era 🤯#NBAConferenceFinals presented by Google pic.twitter.com/5ZE7KwVa9S
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) May 26, 2025
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