On Sunday night, the New York Knicks beat the Indiana Pacers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals. Karl-Anthony Towns finished the 106-100 victory with 24 points, 15 rebounds, one assist and one block while shooting 8/17 from the field and 3/7 from the three-point range in 33 minutes of playing time.

Karl-Anthony Towns played a significant role in boosting the New York Knicks’ offense during their 2025 playoff run. However, Towns’ defense remained a sore spot, particularly as the stakes grew higher in the Eastern Conference Finals.

And yet, there was Towns, a five-time All-Star (including this season), subbing out with 9 minutes left and the Knicks trailing by nine to the Pacers. He did not return until the 2:25 mark with New York still trailing by nine. Reserve center Mitchell Robinson, a defensive stud who has offensive issues, was on the court in Towns’ place.