The New York Knicks had thier back against the wall when they faced the Indiana Pacers on Sunday night in Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Down 2-0 in their Eastern Conference Finals series, a loss would have left the Knicks with an all-but-insurmountable 3-0 series hole.
Instead, New York fought their way back from a 20-point deficit to get back into the series and keep their season off life support.
Knicks forward Karl-Anthony Towns, who had an ugly Game 2 and struggled through the first three quarters of Game 3, came to life in the fourth quarter. Towns scored 20 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter to propel the Knicks to a 106-100 victory.
Towns was so critical to keeping the Knicks afloat in the fourth that he either scored or assisted on the team’s first 17 points of the quarter.
“The game wasn’t looking great for me. But for all of us, I just wanted to do whatever it takes to help put us in a position to win,” Towns said of his performance on Sunday night, according to ESPN.
Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau emphasized the importance of not counting yourself out in any game. “I know you guys roll your eyes when I say no lead is safe, but no lead is safe,” Thibodeau said.
Knicks star Jalen Brunson emphasized the importance of keeping a level head throughout the game.
“It’s an emotional game, it’s a long game. Things can happen, things can not go your way. You can easily crash out, or you can respond the right way,” Brunson said.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.