**Knicks Face Injury Scare as Karl-Anthony Towns Deemed Game-Time Decision for Critical Game 5**

The New York Knicks are bracing themselves for a crucial Eastern Conference Finals Game 5 against the Indiana Pacers, trailing 3-1 in the series. The Knicks need three consecutive victories to advance to the NBA Finals, and they encountered a significant hurdle just hours before the tip-off.

Star player Karl-Anthony Towns was listed as a game-time decision by coach Tom Thibodeau, causing considerable unease among Knicks fans. Towns sustained a knee contusion during the team's loss in Game 4 on Tuesday, which has made his status uncertain. However, later updates brought relief as it was confirmed that Towns would indeed suit up for the game.

Pacers coach Rick Carlisle had already anticipated Towns’s participation, and his prediction proved accurate. Towns has been a critical asset for New York throughout the season, second only to Jalen Brunson in scoring. In the current playoff run, he has managed an impressive 21.3 points and 11.4 rebounds per game.

In Game 3, Towns had a standout performance, accumulating 20 points in the fourth quarter to secure a crucial victory for the Knicks. Nonetheless, Game 4 saw the Pacers rebounding strongly, with Towns’ 24 points and 12 rebounds falling short of clinching a win for his team.

Adding an unusual element to Game 4's atmosphere, a Pacers fan targeted Towns with a taunt during his free-throw attempts by meowing, exploiting the acronym of his name, KAT. The mocking sound was clearly picked up during TNT's broadcast, and the distraction seemed to pay off as Towns missed the shot, much to the delight of the Pacers' home crowd.

As the Knicks gear up for a must-win encounter, all eyes will be on Karl-Anthony Towns, whose presence on the court could be pivotal in keeping their championship hopes alive.