New York Knicks in Trouble: Karl-Anthony Towns Receives Concerning Injury Update for Do-or-Die ECF Game 5 vs Indiana Pacers

Time of India

2 days ago

Is Karl-Anthony Towns playing tonight? (Image via @karltowns)
The
New York Knicks
are on the brink of elimination, staring down a must-win Game 5 against the
Indiana Pacers
in the Eastern Conference Finals. Trailing 3-1 in the series, their already daunting challenge just got tougher—star big man
Karl-Anthony Towns
is now questionable with a left knee contusion, leaving his status for Tuesday night's clash in serious doubt.
Towns, a crucial offensive engine for the Knicks, suffered the injury late in Game 4, and his potential absence could force New York to overhaul its game plan with the season hanging in the balance. Will he gut it out to keep their championship hopes alive? Or will the New York Knicks have to find a way to survive without their All-Star center against a red-hot Pacers squad?
Karl-Anthony Towns' injury status raises concerns for the New York Knicks
Karl-Anthony Towns
is officially listed as questionable for Game 5 after suffering the knee injury late in Game 4.
The timing couldn't be worse for New York, as his scoring, rebounding, and floor-spacing are vital to their offense.
When asked about the injury postgame, Towns deflected focus to the team's performance: "I'm only thinking about the loss. I'm not thinking about that right now. It's disappointing when you don't get a win and we didn't do enough to get the job done tonight."
Despite the setback, Towns is known for playing through pain, and the Knicks may need him to grit it out to keep their season alive.
How Karl-Anthony Towns' absence would impact the New York Knicks
If Karl-Anthony Towns can't go, Mitchell Robinson would likely start in his place. Here's how their roles differ:
Player
Offensive Role
Defensive Role
Karl-Anthony Towns
Elite scorer, three-point threat, playmaker
Solid rim protector, switchable defender
Mitchell Robinson
Limited offensive game, lob threat
Elite shot-blocker, rebounder, paint anchor
The drop-off in offensive firepower would force Jalen Brunson and the backcourt to carry a heavier load. Robinson's defense could help slow down the Pacers' fast-paced attack, but the
New York Knicks
would miss Towns' ability to stretch the floor.
Indiana Pacers' dominance leaves Knicks scrambling
Indiana has controlled the series with high-octane offense and stifling transition defense.
Even strong performances from Brunson, Towns, and others in Game 4 weren't enough to overcome the Pacers' balanced attack.
For the Knicks to extend the series, they must:
- Limit Indiana's transition opportunities
- Improve perimeter defense against Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam
- Generate cleaner looks on offense, especially if Towns is limited
Also read:
[WATCH]: Anne Hathaway's Knicks anthem lip-sync video goes viral and pushes New York's playoff hype to new heights - "GO NY GO!"
Game 5 tips off as a must-win for the New York Knicks. Towns' status will be a game-time decision, but his potential absence would force major adjustments. With their season on the line, New York's resilience will be tested against a Pacers team playing at an elite level.
Get
IPL 2025
match
schedules
,
squads
,
points table
, and live scores for
CSK
,
MI
,
RCB
,
KKR
,
SRH
,
LSG
,
DC
,
GT
,
PBKS
, and
RR
. Check the latest
IPL Orange Cap
and
Purple Cap
standings.