The New York Knicks have transformed their offense since using Karl-Anthony Towns as an offensive hub/playmaker in the ongoing NBA playoffs.
After trailing the Atlanta Hawks 2-1 in the first round, the Knicks altered their playbook to feature KAT as a facilitator, a decision that has yielded impeccable results. During their ongoing seven-game winning streak, they’ve decimated opponents by an average margin of 26.4 points while shooting 54.8% from the field and 43.2% from three—in large part due to KAT’s new role in Mike Brown’s system.
Towns has averaged 15.7 points, 8.0 assists and 9.6 rebounds during the win streak, while shooting 60% from the field and 47% from three. Although the Kentucky alum is fifth in field-goal attempts — behind all four starters — he’s been arguably New York’s most impactful offensive player due to his playmaking and timely shotmaking.
NBA Highlights KAT’s Impact
The NBA highlighted Towns’ impact as a playmaker via social media.
KAT’s vision and playmaking has been on full display 🔥
▪️ 3 10+ AST games this postseason after just 1 in the regular season
▪️ Knicks are 7-0 when he records 5+ AST
▪️ Best AST/TO ratio in the postseason
As the post highlighted, the Knicks are 7-0 in their ongoing playoff run when Towns has registered five or more assists. For context, KAT averaged 3.1 assists during the regular season and had 10+ assists only once — against the Memphis Grizzlies on April 1.
Knicks Soar into East Finals
Last week, Towns admitted that going down 2-1 to the Hawks in the first round was a blessing in disguise, as it forced the Knicks to make changes.
“I feel like the real change for us came before Game 4 in Atlanta,” Towns said, via New York Post. “I think that’s when we really changed our offense. It’s been great. It’s been something I’ve talked about for a lot of the season, to feel like we can help our guys more. We made the right moves. [Brown] set the table for us to have this kind of run.”
“It was the perfect time for all of us to really get on the same accord,” he added. “There’s no better time to be playing your best basketball than right now. So shout out to Mike and really the whole coaching staff for putting us in the best position to succeed.”
Meanwhile, Knicks head coach Mike Brown confirmed KAT’s new role will carry on into the 2026-27 season and beyond.
“What we’re doing now, I think, can have great carryover next year and down the line because we’d be able to expand on it the right way through a training camp,” he said.
The Knicks will face either the Cleveland Cavaliers or the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference Finals starting next week. If the Cavs close out the Pistons in Friday’s Game 6, the East Finals will commence as early as Sunday. If the Cavs-Pistons series goes to a Game 7, the Knicks will get an additional two days of rest.
KAT and the Knicks are the betting favorites to end their 26-year NBA Finals drought. The Knicks last reached the NBA Finals in 2000.
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