This was definitely the Tiger version of Karl-Anthony Towns that I really needed in a crucial game.
The game kicked off quietly, but Towns soon made a mark. The All-Star center played a pivotal role in the Knicks’ decisive 119-81 victory over the Celtics in Game 6 on Friday night.
After successfully reaching the third round of the playoffs in the West with the Timberwolves last year, Towns scored 16 of the Knicks’ 21 points in the first half.
He left the game to a standing ovation in the fourth quarter, finishing with a team-high 12 rebounds in 35 minutes. Across six games against Boston, he averaged 12.7 boards per game.
But, curiously, despite an impressive regular season where he shot 42%, Towns only managed to hit 6 out of 6 in the game from three-point range.
In fact, he attempted only three shots from beyond the arc during the entire series against the Celtics.
Towns also faced foul issues, picking up at least four in each of the six games, including four fouls in the 35th minute of Game 6.
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“I wasn’t really there—I didn’t have the opportunity to film, as I was focused on the game plan,” Towns shared after scoring 19 points in Game 5. “I’m just trying to perform at the highest level, focusing on doing damage inside. I’ll do whatever my team needs from me.”
Initially, Towns seemed poised, draining three-pointers right at the start of the first quarter, but one was waved off due to a foot stumble over Jyulu’s holiday.
He still managed to connect on one during that period, finishing off with points that counted.
