Full article

Towns resurrects the Knicks: epic comeback in Indiana to dream again

What looked like a nightmare turned out to be a night of glory for the Knicks. In a game that painted disastrous from the second quarter, the New York team starred in a monumental comeback against the Pacers (100-106) to get into the East semifinal series (1-2). The big protagonist of the film was Karl-Anthony Towns, who went from being pointed to a hero with one last quarter to frame.

The Knicks came up with water on their necks after falling in the first two games at the Madison. But this time, in hostile terrain, they clung to the epic. Indiana came to dominate by 20 points (55-35), taking advantage of the early personal fouls of McBride, Brunson and Towns himself. But basketball gives second chances, and New Yorkers didn’t miss them.

The first reaction came before the break. OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart kept the team afloat, reducing the lead to 13 points (58-45). After passing through the changing rooms, Jalen Brunson and Towns stepped forward to cut the distance even further. But the best was yet to come.

In the last quarter, Karl-Anthony Towns put on the superhero cape. With five fouls and all against, he led a crushing 5-17 with 15 points of his own that turned the scorecard. The center finished with 24 points and 15 rebounds, but what was really impressive was his temper in the hot moments. With the Pacers in play, the Wolves' ex scored with two key shots, while McBride, Bridges and Brunson shot from the free-throw line.

Indiana, who had been pitching after a brutal first-half partial and with players like Haliburton, Turner and Siakam inspired, was completely deflated in the decisive stretch. Rick Carlisle’s team ran out of ideas just when it mattered most. They only scored 20 points in the last quarter, the same as Towns scored on his own.

McConnell, who had been key coming off the bench, also disappeared in the final minutes. The Pacers were up 90-89 in four minutes, but then they could only watch the Knicks take the game by character and cold blood. 

Brunson, who finished with five fouls, came back to close the match with a couple of free throws. Bridges contributed in defense and Hart was decisive from the line to tie a victory that can change the course of the playoff.

The Knicks come home alive, something unexpected when they were 20 down. But this is the playoffs, and history isn’t written until the final horn rings. With Towns vindicated and the team regaining competitive momentum, the series promises strong emotions.

Revenge, as they say, is served cold. And the Knicks cooked it on a slow fire to give Indiana back the first game coin. Now, with 2-1 in their pocket, the Garden is waiting with open arms for some Pacers who already know that the New Yorkers are not willing to fall without a fight.