BBNBA ECF Preview: Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks search for first NBA Finals berth since 1999

ZGeogheganKSR

May 16, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) celebrates his three point shot against the Boston Celtics during the first quarter of game six in the second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Karl-Anthony Towns has a chance to become part of New York Knicks lore.

The 3-seed Knicks are in the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since the turn of the millennium. After taking down the defending champion Boston Celtics last week, their reward is a date with the 4-seed Indiana Pacers. It’s a classic battle of Big Market vs “Small” Market, one the late David Stern would fire someone over, and there is plenty on the line. New York hasn’t been to the NBA Finals since 1999, while the Pacers haven’t been there since 2000 — to boot, both teams played each other in those two Eastern Conference Finals.

There is some bad blood between these franchises (hello, Reggie Miller), but the wounds have been closed for over two decades now. It’s time to open them back up with seven games of different playstyles. If Towns shines in this series and the Knicks break through to the Finals, he’ll be remembered in the Big Apple forever.

BBNBA WCF Preview: Gilgeous-Alexander leads Thunder against Randle, Timberwolves

And there’s reason to believe he can make it happen, too. The seven-footer is having arguably the best stretch of his playoff career. Through 12 games this postseason, Towns is averaging 19.8 points and 11.3 rebounds on shooting splits of 48.1/34.1/92. Foul trouble (4.4 fouls per game) has been an issue, as has the consistency with which opposing teams attack him on defense, but overall, KAT has been helping the Knicks win games. He’ll be among the bigger X-factors throughout this entire series. If Towns can shoot 40+ percent from deep, the Knicks could be tough to beat.

Get the On3 Top 10 to your inbox every morning

By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.

It helps to have the league’s best late-game scorer, Jalen Brunson, alongside him. This series will be billed as the battle between elite point guards: Brunson going head-to-head with Tyrese Haliburton, two incredible closers who yearn for clutch shots. The Knicks like to slow things down and let Brunson work in the halfcourt surrounded by plenty of talented wings, while the Pacers prefer to swing the ball around as quickly as possible and let the offense work its way into easy shots. Indiana is the deeper team, but the Knicks have more top-end talent. Will the wheels fall off for New York if this series gets extra physical?

We should also mention Isaiah Jackson in our preview, who is a member of the Pacers but suffered a torn Achilles back in November that quickly ended his season. Jackson is now in year four with Indiana, the same franchise that drafted him 22nd overall in 2021.

KSR’s Prediction: Pacers in 7