Mike Brown credited Karl-Anthony Towns as the Knicks’ “hub” after New York’s 121-108 Game 3 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, a victory that put the Knicks one step from the NBA Finals since 1999.
Saturday night in the Eastern Conference Finals didn’t just move the New York Knicks one win closer to the NBA Finals. It also answered a specific question that had hung over their offense for stretches of this series: who could reliably run the show when the Cavaliers’ defense crowded Jalen Brunson?.
The answer, in Game 3, was Karl-Anthony Towns—at least according to Mike Brown. After the Knicks beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 121-108. Brown praised Towns for the kind of influence that doesn’t always show up in box-score headlines. even if it did on this night. Towns, the 30-year-old center, finished with 13 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, three steals, and zero turnovers in 36 minutes.
Brown didn’t mince words about what Towns meant to the Knicks’ flow. “KAT, he was our hub offensively: seven assists, zero turnovers,” Brown said. He added that Towns wasn’t only steering the offense—he was helping defensively too. pointing to “three steals” and “his ability to fire back in the pick-and-roll situation.”.
Cleveland had managed Towns’ facilitating role earlier in the series, and New York leaned heavily on Brunson as a result. But in Game 3. with the Cavaliers again putting extra attention on Brunson. the Knicks responded by returning to Towns as a distributor. New York’s adjustment worked, producing one of the postseason’s more efficient offensive performances.
Brunson led New York with 30 points. Mikal Bridges added 22 points, six rebounds, two steals, and two blocks while shooting 11-of-15. OG Anunoby chipped in 21 points, seven rebounds, and four assists. The Knicks shot 55.8% from the field, made 11 three-pointers, and went 24-for-27 at the free-throw line.
For all the attention on offensive structure, there was another crucial detail: New York never trailed. The franchise extended its playoff winning streak to 10 games, and the margin has been just as striking as the timing. The Knicks have won those games by an average of 22.5 points, with all but one victory coming by double digits.
Transition offense provided a second gear in Game 3. The Knicks outscored Cleveland 30-10 in transition and repeatedly cashed in on live-ball turnovers. The Cavaliers committed 17 turnovers, including 11 live-ball giveaways. New York continued to press defensively through the second half.
Cleveland had its own driving forces. Evan Mobley scored 24 points, Donovan Mitchell finished with 23, and James Harden contributed 19. Still, the Cavaliers struggled from deep again, shooting 12-for-41 from three-point range. Their free-throw shooting also lagged, as they converted 12-for-19.
With the series now at 3-0, New York sits one win away from reaching the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999. That opportunity arrives in Game 4 on Monday night at Rocket Arena.
New York Knicks Cleveland Cavaliers Mike Brown Karl-Anthony Towns Jalen Brunson Game 3 Eastern Conference Finals NBA Finals Rocket Arena