****

In a thrilling Game 3 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the New York Knicks pulled off a stunning comeback, thanks to a spectacular performance by Karl-Anthony Towns, who scored 20 points in the fourth quarter. Jalen Brunson, who watched most of the action from the bench due to foul trouble, was equally amazed by Towns' display.

"I witnessed the same thing everyone else did – a player who was determined not to lose," Brunson commented. "The way he took control and secured that victory for us was nothing short of remarkable."

The Knicks now face the challenge of harnessing Towns' aggressiveness more consistently. His involvement in the offense has been intermittent, but Game 3 showcased just how valuable he can be when he's in full gear. As per Brunson, while they can strategize to involve Towns earlier, in-game dynamics require constant adaptation.

In addition to Towns' heroics, the Knicks executed a much-improved defensive strategy against Pascal Siakam, who was limited to 17 points on 4-of-14 shooting. This was a marked improvement from his 39-point performance in Game 2. OG Anunoby, who has experience playing with Siakam, emphasized the importance of making it difficult for the forward. "Pascal is a great player. After Game 2, we just tried to minimize his easy looks and force him into uncomfortable situations," Anunoby said.

A crucial aspect of the Knicks' defensive effort was limiting the Pacers to a mere two transition points in the second half.

Moreover, the NBA's last-two-minute report revealed some officiating errors that impacted both teams. With 41.1 seconds remaining, the Knicks retained possession after Jalen Brunson lost the ball, a call that should have gone in favor of the Pacers. Later, with just 9.7 seconds left and the Knicks up by four, Mikal Bridges was called for a marginal contact foul on Tyrese Haliburton, which the NBA later ruled should not have been called.

The defensive adjustments and Towns' explosive performance in the fourth quarter propelled the Knicks to an exhilarating win, setting the stage for what promises to be an intense continuation of the series.