In an exhilarating Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals, Karl-Anthony Towns delivered a stellar performance, scoring 20 of his total 24 points in the fourth quarter. The New York Knicks rallied from a daunting 20-point deficit to triumph over the Indiana Pacers with a final score of 106-100. This victory marked a significant moment for the Knicks as they narrowed the series deficit to 2-1, showcasing their resilience despite facing foul trouble throughout the game.
Towns not only excelled in scoring but also contributed defensively with an impressive 15 rebounds on Sunday night. His performance was crucial as the Knicks fought to stay alive in the series. Jalen Brunson, with 23 points, played a pivotal role in the Knicks' comeback, demonstrating the team’s depth and unity even when the stakes were high. “We’re built on a great team, great chemistry, great togetherness,” Brunson stated, reflecting on his confidence in his teammates while he spent significant time on the bench during the final moments of the game.
The Pacers were led by Tyrese Haliburton, who scored 20 points and dished out six assists. Myles Turner added 19 points, but the team was unable to secure the victory. Historically, the Pacers have struggled in games played on the same day as the Indianapolis 500, falling to 0-4 in such matchups. Team officials attempted to boost morale by distributing gold-and-blue T-shirts emblazoned with “Vroom Baby” to commemorate the dual event, following Spain’s Alex Palou winning the Indy 500. Palou was met with a standing ovation during the game, as the Pacers built a substantial lead.
At one point, the Pacers held a commanding 55-35 lead with just 3:20 left in the first half. However, despite this early dominance, Indiana could not maintain their advantage. The Knicks cut the lead to 68-52 at the start of the third quarter and continued to chip away, closing the gap to 80-70 by the end of the third. The turning point came when Brunson scored to give New York an 89-88 lead with 7:10 remaining in the game, a moment that ignited hope for Knicks fans.
In the dying minutes, the Knicks managed to stay ahead, with their lead reaching a maximum of four points until the final free throws sealed the win with just 2.6 seconds left on the clock. Towns expressed his determination, stating, “When I got the chance … in the fourth I made sure to seize the opportunity. I just wanted to go out there and give our team the chance to win; I’m just happy I was able to do that.” This victory sets the stage for an exciting Game 4, scheduled for Tuesday night in Indianapolis, where the Knicks will look to even the series.
