After averaging 24.4 points and 16.9 field goal tries per game during the regular season, Karl-Anthony Towns has attempted 17 or more shots in just three of 11 playoff outings so far this spring and has been held below 24 points in all five games in the Knicks‘ second-round series vs. Boston.
Towns was limited to 5-of-11 shooting from the field in New York’s Game 5 loss, with many of his 19 points coming in the fourth quarter with the game out of reach, prompting Stefan Bondy of The New York Post and Ian Begley of SNY.tv to write that the Knicks need to find a way to unlock Towns and get him more involved in the offensive game plan.
Towns shot 42.0% on 4.7 three-point attempts per game during the regular season but has gone just 2-of-13 in five games against Boston. He suggested after Game 5 that the decline in his shots from beyond the arc has been by design, per Begley.
“I haven’t really been out there really. Haven’t had the chance to shoot. We’ve just been trying to do our game plan and I’m just trying to execute at the highest level,” Towns said. “So I’m trying to do most of my damage inside and do whatever my team asks of me.”
As Begley points out, Towns made just one outside shot in his first two games against Detroit in the conference quarterfinals before knocking down nine and scoring 58 total points in Games 3 and 4, so there’s a recent precedent for him bouncing back and coming up big when the Knicks need him most.
Here’s more on the Knicks ahead of Friday’s Game 6:
- Despite being built around a strong starting five, the Knicks haven’t been as dominant with Towns, Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Josh Hart on the court as hoped. That lineup had just a +1.9 net rating in 330 minutes from Christmas Day through the end of the regular season and has posted a -7.3 mark in the playoffs, including -16.3 in the second round. With that in mind, Fred Katz of The Athletic considers whether or not a starting lineup tweak makes sense.
- The Knicks acquired Bridges and Anunoby for situations like this one, according to Chris Herring of ESPN, who looks at the impact the two standout wings have made in New York and explores how they could make a difference in Game 6.
- Mitchell Robinson‘s 6-of-6 performance from the free throw line was a silver lining for the Knicks in Game 5 and could make him an even more valuable weapon if he can keep it up, writes Zach Braziller of The New York Post. Despite the fact that New York leads the series 3-2, Robinson’s is the only Knick who has a positive net rating (+10.6) vs. Boston.
- The Knicks have listed big man Precious Achiuwa as questionable for Friday’s game due to a right ankle sprain. Achiwua’s status doesn’t figure to have any impact on Tom Thibodeau‘s rotation, since he has only played 15 total minutes in the series.
Mitch has been a beast this series even moving laterally at what seems like pre covid rates which shocked me
I’m not a big fan of Centers who can’t or won’t play on the blocks. Towns is a good 3pt shooter. But there is no reason why he can’t post too. I hate when he tries to take of the dribble from the three pt line. Its a weak soft move for a C. Wastes energy and time. Just easier to post and get a good pass. Then just go over him or thru him. Thats a big mans game. Both Bridges and Towns don’t always show up at home. That’s a direct sign of playing scared to me. This season is about them two showing up as prime time players. Well !!!!!
That is playoff KAT for ya…
Mix in some confusing flashy passes that turn into turnovers… and you get the complete picture…
He will have good games, but regular season form rarely translates…
You watch Minny and you watch the Knicks.
Minny is about the team. Reid and Donte are bench players . And they are a big part of the team winning. AE hasn’t had to carry them like he did last year. Its been a team effort. Different guys have had big games. It took awhile for their two new players to fit in. They are looking good now.
Where Knicks were given the benefit if winning the trade. Minny has shown that they are the ones winning the trade now..They are deeper and playing better as a unit. Knicks are all about their starters.
And too dependent on one player, Brunson. Knicks have been fortunate to get here. So you have to take advantage of the good fortune. It’s not a given tonight or that they will beat Pacers. Its time to man up. And for Thibs to trust his bench. Christmas has come early for Knicks ……. Don’t blow it with pride. We need everyone to have success. NYK
If the Knicks don’t beat the Pacers it will be due to their coach. Thibs is shortsighted and has never learned to develop a bench. Look at his years in Chicago. He ruined Rose with his foolishness.
“Robinson is the only Knick who has a positive net rating (+10.6) vs. Boston.”
That says it all. He has to start. C’mon Thibs!
Towns and Bridges finally show up in MSG …..
It’s about time Onicks are doing the Spanking …
Bring on the Pacers ……,
All the nay sayers who think going 0-4 during season. Means you can’t beat them in the playoffs.
This one is for you. ……
The playoffs are a new season. Nobody cares about who is ready or hurt. Either you are here to play. Or you go home to cheer. The playoffs are a new beginning for all playoff teams. Nothing matters but the game in front of you. Yes it took Knicks all year to learn how to beat the Celtics ….
So we learned and beat them by 38 ….. oh yeah
The Champs are here !!!!!! The champs are here !!!!
You want to be the champs. You go thru the champs.
“In Thibs we Trust”. year 5 of the rebuild. NYK
Congrats on the win. These boys made me a believer.
Ah yes beatinG a team where the #1 option tore his Achilles and the #2 option was playinG with a torn meniscus and the #3 option(KP) has aids. but that definitely was all the knicks had nothinG to do with the Celtics puttinG up their lowest points of the season lmfaoooo. New York fans are always so delusional.