The New York Knicks came away with a tremendous 106-100 win in Game 3 against the Indiana Pacers on the back of some electrifying performances by Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart. Unfortunately, both players sustained apparent injuries during the game, raising doubts regarding their availability in the future.
Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau addressed this matter during the postgame press conference and said:
"No. I don't know if you're aware, but our medical team is voted the best in the league. They are tough-minded, and I think, at this time of the year, the mental toughness is probably more important than the physical toughness. And both of those guys are mentally tough, which I think is huge."
Both Towns and Hart sustained apparent knee injuries in Game 3. Towns was seen flexing his left knee late in the game, after making a return to the floor. This coincidentally happens to be the same knee he had a meniscus surgery on in 2024.
Towns ended the game with an inspiring performance in the fourth quarter by racking up 20 points in the final frame, matching Indiana's total scoring output for the quarter by himself. The Knicks' big man played a vital role in leading the comeback charge against the Pacers, and based on his contributions, Knicks guard Jalen Brunson could put the icing on the cake to complete the victory.
Towns' presence has been vital to New York's success. However, his health will also be key. Meanwhile, Josh Hart's contributions off the bench cannot be ignored either.
After being moved to the bench for Mitchell Robinson, Hart brought a relentlessness with the second unit that caught the Pacers off guard. Although he didn't contribute points, he put in the hard yards on the defensive end, showing tremendous hustle.
Hart's consistent effort has resulted in a lot of wins for New York. However, it has also resulted in rough tumbles. From getting elbowed in the face against the Celtics, to coming down hard on his knee to secure a rebound in Game 3, the Knicks will only hope that the injury isn't very serious.
Meanwhile, New York finds itself in a better position heading into the next game. A statement win in Game 3 sends a very clear message across to the Pacers: the Knicks are far from finished.
Both teams have displayed an innate ability to come out on top when the chips are down. While the Pacers managed to showcase this in Games 1 and 2, the Knicks will aim to do the same on the road.
A 2-1 deficit will keep New York honest. But the momentum is undoubtedly on their side. This Pacers side has also displayed a resilience and tenacity to bounce back from losses quickly. With all the right elements at play, Game 4 on Tuesday is bound to be an exciting one.
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