Karl-Anthony Towns Woke Up—and the Pacers Paid the Price

At what point is something considered déjà vu? Because we've seen this story before.

The New York Knicks, yet again, came back from a 20-point deficit to snatch Game 3 on the road—106-101 — and maaaannn, the Garden might’ve been quiet back in Game 2, but the spirit of 90s Knicks basketball is alive and stomping in Indiana.

Let me be clear: this isn’t luck.

This is will.

This is grit.

This is New York basketball.

Let’s talk history: With this win, the Knicks became the first team in NBA history (since play-by-play tracking began in 1997-98) to pull off three 20+ point comeback wins in a single postseason.

All. On. The. Road.

Two of those comeback wins came in Boston.

The third?

Sunday night in Indy, on the same day as the Indianapolis 500, where the Pacers are now 0-4 all-time when they share the date with the race.

Add that to the Knicks’ record book while you’re at it.

Now let’s give flowers where they’re due. Jalen Brunson, the soul of this Knicks team, got hit with foul trouble late — but that boy is built for the moment.

Despite riding the pine for chunks of the fourth, he still delivered a money-time floater to give New York the lead with just over a minute left.

But let’s not play games here…

Karl-Anthony Towns was the reason New York won this game.

Let me say it louder: KAT CARRIED.

Towns went off for 20 points in the fourth alone, finishing with 24 points and 15 rebounds.

He didn’t just show up — he imposed his will, like a man finally realizing his superpowers.

He became only the fourth Knick ever to drop 20+ points and 15+ boards in a Conference Finals game, joining legends like Patrick Ewing, Dave DeBusschere, and Willis Reed.

That’s some great company right there.

Meanwhile, the Pacers looked like they had it all in control. Tyrese Haliburton was hooping—20 points, six assists, doing his thing. Myles Turner chipped in with 19.

But when it got real?

Indiana looked like they’d seen a ghost in Knicks blue.

Here’s the thing: after losing both home games at MSG to start the series, folks were jumping off the Knicks’ bandwagon. But then you look at the receipts — this team is 6-1 on the road in the postseason.

You think they're scared of Gainbridge Fieldhouse? Of Haliburton? Of Indiana’s race-day energy?

Nope.

This team is doing it with culture, with defense, with heart, and with players that treat adversity like pregame warmups.

And if KAT keeps giving you that version of himself — the I-want-it-more-than-you version — and Brunson keeps playing chess while the rest of the league is playing checkers?

The Knicks still have a shot at winning this series.

But will they?

That remains to be seen.