There’s a certain playoff energy that descends when Scott Foster is in the building—and it’s not subtle. Knicks fans knew the moment his name hit the Game 3 officiating sheet, something chaotic was brewing. Foster, long nicknamed “The Extender,” didn’t disappoint. Or did he?

The Knicks were staring down the barrel of a 2-0 series deficit against the Indiana Pacers. One more L and it’s basically curtains. But Sunday night in Indianapolis, the narrative bent just enough to keep the drama alive. Knicks 106, Pacers 100. A sigh of relief in New York. A raised eyebrow everywhere else.

Here’s where things get interesting. Foster’s reputation isn’t just a Twitter myth. He’s earned that label from years of games that somehow—magically—get extended when he’s involved. Game 3 was no exception. One whistle here, a no-call there, and suddenly the Knicks’ playoff hopes had a pulse again. Coincidence? Fans don’t think so. An example, you say?

Here’s one: “The extender comes through once again.”

But while conspiracy theorists typed in all caps, Karl-Anthony Towns went to work. The Knicks needed a savior, and KAT delivered like it was Prime Day. 25 points, 15 rebounds, and a whole lot of redemption after two forgettable performances. His three-pointer with under three minutes left gave the Knicks the cushion they needed. His presence in the paint finally gave them resistance against Indiana’s interior attack. He wasn’t just good—he was necessary.

How Karl-Anthony Towns & Co. saved the day in Game 3 vs the Pacers

And that’s the part that gets lost in all the whistle talk. The Knicks didn’t just squeak by—they fought for this one. Jalen Brunson finally got help. The defense tightened up when it mattered. And Josh Hart, though benched for the first five, still managed to give 8 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists. That’s not a Foster fix. That’s just basketball.

Foster has officiated over 241 playoff games across his career, but it’s the ones that fall under high-leverage elimination scenarios that draw attention. In games where one team faced going down 0-3 or 3-1, Foster’s crews have historically leaned toward favoring the team with their backs against the wall. The league may never admit to it, but fans have done the math.

Still, superstition only gets you so far. Foster didn’t box out Myles Turner in the final minute. He didn’t knock down Karl-Anthony Towns’ corner three. He wasn’t the one blitzing Haliburton at halfcourt to force turnovers. The Knicks made adjustments, and for the first time in the series, Indiana had no counter.

With Game 4 looming on Tuesday night, all eyes will shift to how the Pacers respond and whether Karl-Anthony Towns can replicate his heroics. Expect the Knicks to lean heavier on their size advantage and rework their perimeter defense after getting torched in Games 1 and 2. On the other side, the Pacers have questions. Tyrese Haliburton struggled to generate rhythm shots in Game 3, and Indiana’s bench—so deadly in Games 1 and 2—was neutralised. Can Rick Carlisle adjust again? Or did the Knicks find something that finally travels?

For now, though, the pressure flips, and the Knicks’ faithful can breathe again, if only for 48 hours. Whether you’re team conspiracy or team comeback, Game 3 had everything. And somehow, it still left us asking more questions than it answered.