The New York Knicks leveled their playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday night, riding a dominant performance from Karl-Anthony Towns to a 112-99 victory. Towns was unstoppable, pouring in 38 points and grabbing 14 rebounds, leaving the Hawks without an answer for the All-Star big man.
From the opening tip, Towns established his presence, scoring 12 points in the first quarter and setting the tone for the Knicks' offense. He finished 15-of-23 from the field and made all six of his free throws, showcasing his versatility both inside and beyond the arc.
"He was just in a zone tonight," said Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau. "When he plays like that, we're a different team."
The Hawks, who took a 1-0 series lead in Game 1, struggled to contain Towns throughout the night. Atlanta's defense repeatedly collapsed on him, only to see him kick out to open shooters or finish through contact. Trae Young led the Hawks with 27 points and 9 assists, but his efforts were not enough to overcome New York's balanced attack.
Jalen Brunson added 24 points and 7 assists for the Knicks, while RJ Barrett chipped in 18 points. The Knicks shot 51% from the field and held the Hawks to just 43% shooting.
The series now shifts to Atlanta for Game 3, with both teams tied at 1-1. The Knicks will look to build on this momentum, while the Hawks aim to reclaim home-court advantage.
"We knew we had to respond after Game 1," Towns said. "We came out with energy and executed our game plan. Now we have to keep that same mindset on the road."
Tipoff for Game 3 is set for Saturday night.