Despite averaging an impressive 19.6 points and 12.8 rebounds per game in the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Boston Celtics, Karl-Anthony Towns still has room to elevate his offensive performance for the New York Knicks.
Recognized as one of the league’s most versatile frontcourt players, Towns has underutilized a key element of his scoring ability — his outside shooting. Through the first five games of the series, he’s connected on just 2 of 13 attempts from beyond the arc, averaging only 2.6 three-point shots per game. That’s well below his regular-season average of 4.7 attempts.
“We can do more to get him open,” said Knicks forward Josh Hart. “We’re using a lot of ball-screen sets, and Boston is playing drop coverage. We have to find ways to get him in rhythm — whether that’s in transition, using flare screens, or quick pick-and-pops.”
Hart added that because Towns isn’t a ball-dominant guard, he relies more on team structure to get shots. “If he were a guard, he’d be creating more looks for himself. We’ve got to help him get into better positions, and that’s a responsibility from top to bottom on this team.”
Towns has found himself frequently matched up against Celtics guard Jrue Holiday. While Holiday is one of the premier perimeter defenders in the NBA, at 6-foot-4 he presents a size mismatch that Towns should be able to exploit in the post.
If Towns can effectively attack the smaller defender down low, Boston may be forced to adjust its matchups — potentially freeing up long-range opportunities for both Towns and his teammates.
Following New York’s 127-102 loss in Game 5, Towns acknowledged that his limited perimeter presence has been intentional. Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson also emphasized the importance of adapting to how the Celtics are defending.
“When they put smaller defenders on him, we need to get him in the post more,” Brunson said. “They haven’t shifted to a bigger defender on him yet, so we need to take advantage of that. When KAT is aggressive, it gives us a big edge.”
The Knicks will need Towns to be fully engaged on the offensive end as they prepare to defend home court and close out the series in Game 6. The game tips off at 8 p.m. ET at Madison Square Garden.
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