The New York Knicks are in a 3-1 hole in the Eastern Conference finals, and they may have to attempt a series comeback without Karl-Anthony Towns.
New York’s big man was injured late in the Game 4 loss to the Indiana Pacers Tuesday. With just more than two minutes left, Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith was driving toward the basket when Towns attempted a close out. The two players collided and Towns’ left knee bumped into Nesmith’s right knee. Towns immediately grabbed at his knee and went down to the floor in visible pain.
Towns was able to get up and had a noticeable limp as he walked to the bench. Despite being slowed down by the injury, Towns remained in the contest. He finished with 24 points, 12 rebounds and three assists.
Karl-Anthony Towns to be evaluated
Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau didn’t know the extent of the injury following the defeat but he will be examined before Game 5.
‘He was able to go back in, so that’s a good sign. We’ll see where he is after he gets evaluated,’ Thibodeau said.
In 2024, Towns’ suffered a torn left meniscus that forced him to miss a month of action before he returned before the playoffs.
Towns has had a key role for a New York team playing in the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2000. He has averaged 21.3 points per game this postseason, second-most for the Knicks behind Jalen Brunson. He’s also averaging a team-high 11.4 rebounds per game in the playoffs.
If it weren’t for Towns, the season could already be over for New York. He played a key role in the Game 3 comeback by scoring 20 points in the fourth quarter as the Knicks came back from 20 points down to win their first game of the series.
New York will be playing to keep its season alive with Game 5 at Madison Square Garden on Thursday.