Karl-Anthony Towns’ Game 2 Performance vs. Pistons Is A Huge Problem For The Knicks NBA Championship Hopes

Karl Anthony Towns was nowhere to be found in the second half of Game 2 of the New York Knicks’ first-round battle with the Detroit Pistons. Towns put together a disappointing effort with only 10 points and six rebounds but it was his performance in the second half that raised eyebrows. Towns failed to score after halftime and did not attempt a shot in the fourth quarter of the Knicks 101-94 loss. His 10 points were also his second-lowest total of the entire season.

Towns’ Disappearance Wasn’t Entirely His Fault

New York failed to make Detroit pay for using Tobias Harris and Paul Reed as KAT’s primary defender at different points in the game. 

Things only got worse in the fourth quarter, as touches became even more sparse for Towns, who should have demanded the ball down the stretch. 

Of course, the onus doesn’t all fall on his shoulders. 

His teammates and head coach should have helped remedy the problem but Towns’ overall nonchalance didn’t go unnoticed. After the game, Jalen Brunson took some responsibility, saying “It’s on me to make sure I set the table.”

On the other hand, Towns was less committal when asked about why he didn’t attempt a shot in the fourth quarter and how he thinks about attacking smaller defenders, like Harris.

Playoff KAT Needs To Be More Aggressive

Through two playoff games, Towns is averaging 13.5 points and 7.5 rebounds, a significant drop from his regular season averages of 24.4 points and 12.8 rebounds. The Knicks need more from their star if they hope to advance past the first round.

Of course, this isn’t the first time that Towns has come under scrutiny for his lack of aggression in the playoffs. Across 16 career playoff games before ing the Knicks, Towns averaged 18.6 points and 10.6 rebounds per game. While those are solid numbers, his lack of efficiency and aggressiveness have been major problems, especially late in playoff games. 

Towns has never taken more than 15 shots per game during the NBA Playoffs. For reference, he’s averaged under 15 shots per game just one time in the past seven seasons (14.8 in 2022-23).

Is This Just One Game Or Part Of A Bigger Issue For NY?

Narrator:
The Knicks did NOT feed KAT

Inexplicable/inexcusable that a $50 million all-NBA offensive force and arguably the greatest shooting big man of all time doesn’t get a single shot attempt over the final 18 minutes of the most important game of the season. https://t.co/ySbeSVpOro

— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) April 22, 2025

KAT’s reluctance to take over offensively during playoff games has been a consistent issue throughout his career and the Knicks will need him to step up and become more assertive if they are to push past the Pistons and make a deeper playoff run.

As the series now shifts to Detroit for Game 3, the pressure is mounting on Towns to elevate his game. With the series now tied 1-1, the Pistons have officially put the Knicks on notice by holding a late lead in both games on the road at Madison Square Garden. 

New York went on a 21-0 run to steal Game 1 but the Knicks’ comeback effort fell short in Game 2. If Tom Thibideau can’t make the appropriate adjustments, this could turn out to be another disappointing season in the Big Apple. 

Can The Knicks Turn Things Around In Detroit?

Towns’ postseason woes have been a recurring theme throughout his career, and they are becoming harder to ignore at this point. 

The Knicks traded for him with the hope he could be a franchise-changing piece, yet his Game 2 performance proves that he hasn’t taken the leap when it matters most. 

With the Knicks in a vulnerable position and a must-win Game 3 coming up, Towns must prove he can elevate his game when it counts.

If he doesn’t, the Knicks’ gamble on him could turn out to be a major hurdle in their quest to bring an NBA Championship to New York.