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Karl-Anthony Towns has played a crucial role in stabilizing the New York Knicks during the 2026 NBA Playoffs, helping them recover from a 2-1 deficit against the Atlanta Hawks. Fans were previously calling for major changes amid the team's struggles.
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May 10, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) reacts after game four of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
When the New York Knicks fell behind the Atlanta Hawks 2-1 in the first round of the playoffs, disenchanted fans were ready to demand change.
âFire Mike Brown!â âTrade for Giannis!â
Their remarks stemmed from the disappointment of watching a team with championship aspirations struggle to conquer an overachieving sixth seed in the first round of the playoffs.
Now, the Knicks find themselves eight wins away from an NBA title, waiting to see who they will face in the Conference Finals.
So how did a team that looked like it was backsliding just two weeks ago turn it around so quickly?
The answer lies in the Knicksâ X-Factor: Karl Anthony Towns.
Ever since KAT joined the Knicks, questions flowed about whether or not he was the right co-star next to Jalen Brunson.Â
Karl-Anthony Towns significantly contributed to the Knicks' recovery in the playoffs, helping them overcome a 2-1 deficit against the Atlanta Hawks.
Fans expressed their frustration by calling for the firing of coach Mike Brown and demanding trades, particularly for star player Giannis.
Before Towns' contributions, the Knicks were struggling against the Atlanta Hawks, trailing 2-1 in the first round of the playoffs.
The Knicks entered the 2026 playoffs with high hopes of contending for the championship, which heightened fan disappointment during their early struggles.
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How would his defense hold up in the playoffs? What if he couldnât stay out of foul trouble?Â
This postseason, Towns has shown his effectiveness on both sides of the ball, even if foul trouble remains an issue.Â
Despite attempting the fewest number of shots in the playoffs in his career, he has the highest plus-minus of his postseason career. Additionally, he ranks first in several key postseason categories: win shares, player efficiency rating, plus-minus (offensive and defensive).Â
Not only has he excelled at distributing for his teammates, but he has also become a double-double machine. He is averaging 17.4 points and 10.0 rebounds in his 13 playoff games so far this playoffs.
But the biggest reason for his success and the Knicksâ is the new way in which his coach, Mike Brown, has utilized him.
Before Game 4 in Atlanta, coach Brown made one pivotal move that has paid dividends: running the offense through Towns.
As a distributor, he is averaging a career postseason high of 6.6 assists per game, including 7.5 in the 76ers series. His career-high steal and assist numbers are made more impressive by the fact that he has played the fewest minutes of his postseason career.
Brown leaned heavily into Towns as an offensive hub, emphasizing moving without the ball and using him as a playmaker.Â
In the clip below, Towns stands at the top of the key with the ball, surveying the floor. Jalen Brunson curls around him as his defender, Kelly Oubre Jr., follows him. Brunson fakes a dribble handoff with Towns, slipping to the basket. Brunsonâs curl forces Tyrese Maxey to help off Deuce McBride, and McBride subsequently gets off an open three.
Towns being a threat from beyond the arc adds to the gravity that he can create on the court. While he is more than capable of knocking down threes as a career 39.7% shooter, his game has become less reliant on living and dying by the three.
He is taking the lowest number of three-pointers in any of his playoff runs. Still, his percentage has increased, as have his assists, blocks, and steals.
âI just love that I get to get my teammates involved, and I get the chance to quarterback the offense and put them in positions that I feel they could succeed, and theyâve obliged,â he said. âLike I said before, theyâre trusting me more with the ball right now, and I just want to continue to repay their trust with the right plays and making the right decisions.â
Townsâ adjustment has set the precedent for other teammates, like Brunson and Jordan Clarkson. Brunson has relinquished the ball more than heâs accustomed to. Clarkson played the lowest minutes of his career this season, but has taken on the task of hustling, providing solid defense, and rebounding. Clarkson has averaged just 6.5 points this postseason, but transformed his game into an offensive rebounding machine and energy booster.Â
Even as a facilitator, Towns hasnât abandoned his offensive game; he is just reacting better to what defenses give him. Itâs only fitting that he has thrived as an assist-man, given that his basketball idol was Magic Johnson. KAT wears the number 32 in honor of the Hall of Fame point guard whose game he admired.
âHe (Magic) made his teammates better and had a lot of flair with it. For me to be able to see someone like that who made his teammates better, who also scored and was able to impact the game in all statistical categories â it was really cool for me to see someone like that,â he explained of Magicâs influence.Â
At his 7-foot frame, his playmaking as a big man is even more of a rare skillset.
What is more important than Townsâ individual stats is how they have affected his teamâs winning. The Knicks have won seven straight games and boast the largest point differential in a 10-game postseason span.
Moreover, the team is second in offensive and defensive rating and number one in overall net rating.Â
For the New York Knicks to reach the pinnacle of the NBA, Towns will need to be at his best. And if thereâs one thing he has shown thus far, it is that he doesnât need to be a scoring juggernaut to be effective.Â
None of the Knicksâ players are celebrating their stellar play, however, insisting that they havenât reached their ultimate goal yet. Their defeat in the Conference Finals last season still sticks with them as a reminder of the work remaining.
The Knicks are halfway to an NBA title, and they will surely need Karl-Anthony Towns every step of the way.
The post Karl-Anthony Towns Has Helped Save Knicks From Disaster appeared first on The Lead.