The Eastern Conference Finals just got a bit spicier! After back-to-back defeats in their own backyard, the New York Knicks gave the Indiana Pacers a taste of their own medicine. The theme of comebacks continued as the Knicks produced a dramatic 20-point comeback to snatch Game 3 at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse. This was made possible through a miraculous fourth-quarter performance by Karl-Anthony Towns, as the Knicks grabbed a 106-100 win to cut the series deficit to 2-1. The Knicks were on the brink of yet another playoff loss, and Jalen Brunson was on the bench. KAT took matters into his own hands. What did he do?

Well, the 29-year-old Knicks finished the game with 24 points, out of which 20 came in the final quarter of the game. It was an incredible night for Towns, especially after an unusual moment with OG Anunoby in Game 2. If you are not aware, Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby were spotted having what seemed like a heated conversation during the second game at MSG. This had the fans worried about the mood in the locker room. More so, because they had a mountain to climb heading to Indiana. However, it seems like the teammates have made peace, as KAT cleared his stance after an impressive win for the Knicks. 

The Knicks’ superstar center revealed how being down by as many as 20 points is a test for the entire locker room. “It’s a true test of whether we’re actually that close in that locker room. If that unity that continuity is truly there when you’re down, u like you said, 20 plus. You know it tests the character of everyone in that locker room and our willingness to not give up and continue to fight.” Towns said after the game. “Like I’ve said before, I think this team has shown grittiness all year, Detroit series, Boston series. Tonight was a night we got to show that kind of uh that never say quit attitude, and it’s a testament to everyone in that locker room.”

Indeed, this New York team has shown throughout the postseason that they are capable of making clutch plays. That’s something the Knicks lacked against the Pacers, but this Game 3 performance was a testament to their unity and resilience. Moreover, it also shut down the narrative that the team’s locker room was tense. Even Knicks HC Tom Thibodeau believed that the key to success in Game 3 was his team’s “unselfishness”. He believed that his players understood that when their teammate is in the zone, it’s better to pass the ball to him. However, it wasn’t all good for the Knicks, as their superstar guard, Jalen Brunson, had an unusual game. 

Jalen Brunson clears the air around his unusual actions in Game 3

While it was a night to remember for the New York Knicks as they clinched their first win in the series, Jalen Brunson found himself in trouble. To put it simply, the Knicks’ point guard, who has been their savior for most of the postseason, got into some foul trouble in Game 3. The guard had a terrible first half on Sunday, scoring just 11 points and picking up four fouls with a devastating -11 rating. Everyone knew that the fifth foul was to come at any moment, and it did. Midway through the fourth quarter, the star guard picked up his fifth foul on a 50/50 blocking call. Reckless? Maybe. Well, that’s because this is the second time in three games that Brunson has gotten into foul trouble. 

However, he thinks that it’s part and parcel of the game, which can get emotional more often than not. “Yeah, it’s an emotional game. It’s a long game, things can happen, things can not go your way, and you can easily obviously crash out, or you can respond the right way.” Brunson said about his actions. “But I got people in my corner, people on this team who believe in me and believe in us, and so just the conversations that we have as a team and the encouragement that everything we do is important and especially throughout a 48-minute game.” The 28-year-old Knicks guard explained how things can go south, as emotions run high during a playoff game. 

Moreover, he emphasized the fact that he’s proud of his team who have his back, no matter what. Indeed, his team did have his back as Karl-Anthony Towns took it upon himself to get the team through the line in Game 3. This shows how trust and belief the Knicks teammates have in each other. It’s great to see that, as it will only help them with the series moving forward. Now, Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson will shift their focus onto the next game with the hopes of bringing this series back to level terms and building on their newly gained momentum. Will they be able to win back-to-back away games? Only time will tell, as everyone awaits Game 4.