The Knicks were down 20 points with 3:20 left in the first half of a pivotal Game 3. Everything looked lost until Karl-Anthony Towns showed up.
New York was sluggish, uninspired, and defeated; the same feelings as the infamous Game 1 loss. There was no spark again, no confidence in their shooting, and a lack of awareness on the defensive end. The fans were calling for Tom Thibodeau’s head on Twitter, ready to construct offseason trade scenarios in their head. The Knicks were a half away from falling behind 3-0 to the Indiana Pacers.
But then a couple of rotational changes, a heavy late-game contribution from the All-NBA third-teamer Karl-Anthony Towns, and the Knicks somehow win Game 3. It feels like a surreal experience to write this article about another come-from-behind win. So how did they do it?
Thibodeau’s New Bench Mob?
A lineup consisting of Miles McBride, Landry Shamet, Delon Wright, and Josh Hart to save the Knicks season? What was Tom Thibodeau trying to do?
McBride had a rough first half, like all the players for New York. He picked up three quick fouls in the first quarter and was benched for the rest of the half. McBride scored nine points on 2/6 shooting, but he got to the free throw line a couple of times (4-4 FT). The Knicks needed his aggression on the offensive end in this primarily defensive lineup, so credit to McBride for keeping the Knicks in the game.
Thibs finally went deep into his bench without playing “bench regulars” Cameron Payne or Precious Achiuwa.
This was the first time Wright and Shamet got consistent, meaningful minutes in the 2025 playoffs. Their contributions will not show up in the stat sheet, but the Knicks had energy, better defensive switches, and contests. Thibs decided to experiment in Game 3, running lineups that had never shared the floor during the regular season. Thibs used 15 different total lineups, something he does not normally do. Credit to him for trying new ways to win.
The Knicks were only down ten going into the fourth quarter because of the bench. All they needed was one of their stars to show up in the fourth quarter.
Karl-Anthony Towns Rises to the Occasion
Big time shot after big time shot for the seven-foot big man in the fourth quarter.
In a game where Jalen Brunson picked up five fouls and shot 6/18 for the game, the Knicks had to rely on Towns to score, and he put the team on his back. KAT was unstoppable, scoring 20 points on 6/9 shooting. He hit three three-pointers to give New York a lead in the middle of the fourth quarter. KAT was so in control of this game in the fourth that Thibs did not feel pressured to play Jalen Brunson until the 1:37 mark in the fourth quarter.
The Knicks traded for KAT to show up when the season is on the line, which is exactly what he did.
Thibs’ inclusion of KAT in the offense is under constant criticism, but if he can find a way to get KAT more shots in this series, Indiana is in trouble. The Pacers do not have an answer for him; they’ve been trying to put Myles Turner on him, but KAT is too fast and skilled. Turner is their best chance to guard him, so if KAT beats Turner, then Indiana has no other option than to start double-teaming, and they do not want to put two on him with the other offensive weapons New York has.
The next game is Tuesday in Indiana, a chance for the Knicks to tie the series at two.
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