YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - The New York Knicks refused to fold.
Down double digits entering the fourth quarter of Game 3, the Knicks stormed back behind a dominant stretch from Karl-Anthony Towns to steal a 106-100 win over the Indiana Pacers and claw their way back into the Eastern Conference Finals.
Towns delivered arguably his most impactful performance in a Knicks uniform, erupting for 20 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter alone. The stretch catapulted New York from a 10-point deficit to a late lead they wouldn’t give up.
“I just wanted to stay aggressive,” Towns said postgame. “I knew we had a run in us. I just wanted to be the spark.”
Jalen Brunson finished with 23 points and came up clutch in the closing seconds, sinking two free throws with eight seconds remaining to extend New York’s lead to four and shut the door on Indiana’s comeback hopes.
It was a gritty response from the Knicks, who had struggled through the first three quarters. They trailed by four after one, 13 at the half, and still found themselves down double digits entering the final frame. But their defense tightened, the energy in Madison Square Garden surged, and Towns’ scoring flurry turned the game upside down.
Tyrese Haliburton led the Pacers with 20 points and seven assists, but Indiana whose been dominant in close games during the postseason entering Saturday night finally blinked under pressure.
The Pacers still hold a 2-1 series lead, but momentum now shifts squarely toward New York ahead of Game 4.
Game 4 tips off Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden.