Knicks facing major blow ahead of do-or-die Game 5 with Karl-Anthony Towns left as game-time decision for Pacers clash

By JAKE NISSE

The Knicks faced a major injury headache ahead of their Eastern Conference Finals do-or-die Game 5 against the Pacers.

After falling into a 3-1 series hole with a 130-121 loss on Tuesday, the Knicks will have to rattle off three straight wins to get into the NBA Finals.

But earlier on Thursday evening they faced the risk be without one of their stars, as Karl-Anthony Towns was deemed a game-time decision by coach Tom Thibodeau less than two hours before tip-off.

The big man was listed as questionable on the pregame injury report with a knee contusion, which he suffered during his team’s Game 4 loss.

However, Knicks fans’ fears were later quelled as it was ultimately revealed that the star would be available for the crunch clash.  

For his part, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle has said he had expected the All-Star to play. 

Karl-Anthony Towns has been deemed a game-time decision ahead of a must-win Game 5

He scored 24 points and hauled in 12 rebounds in Game 4 but it wasn’t enough for the win

Towns has been the team’s second-leading scorer throughout the season behind Jalen Brunson, and he’s started all 16 games for New York in the playoffs. 

Towns has scored 21.3 points per contest this postseason to go along with 11.4 rebounds per night.

He also produced a highly memorable performance in Game 3, pouring in 20 points in the fourth quarter to help the Knicks earn a vital win in Indiana and keep the series alive.

However, the hosts bounced back in Game 4, despite Towns registering 24 points and 12 assists in a high-scoring affair.

A Pacers fan brutally trolled the Knicks star during a free-throw attempt by meowing from behind the basket, with the audio being picked up on TNT’s broadcast of the Game 4 loss. 

The noise being directed at Towns comes from the acronym of the center’s first and last name – KAT. 

The audio can be heard as Towns attempts the first half of two free throws with the Knicks down nine to Indiana. 

Right before, Towns releases the ball at the rim, the ‘meow’ works its way onto the TNT broadcast. 

Towns’ free throw hits the back rim and misses to the absolute delight of the home crowd. 

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Knicks facing major blow ahead of do-or-die Game 5 with Karl-Anthony Towns left as game-time decision for Pacers clash

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