Overview
- The Knicks have gone 7-0 since re-centering the offense around Karl-Anthony Towns, outscoring foes by 26.4 points per game with a 130.5 offensive rating.
- Karl-Anthony Towns says he asked coaches for the ball to run through him when New York trailed 2-1 to Atlanta, and the staff embraced the idea.
- Head coach Mike Brown says he makes the final call and had been considering the tweak, noting he looks for video and analytics to back suggested changes.
- Towns’ playmaking spiked to 8.0 assists per game since the switch, creating easier cuts and catch-and-shoot looks for teammates such as Jalen Brunson.
- New York closed two series with 30-point wins, joining the 1987 Lakers, 2008 Celtics, and 2025 Thunder as rare teams with multiple blowout clinchers in one postseason.