...
By Rowan Fisher-Shotton
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
The New York Knicks had the perfect chance to go up 3-0 in the NBA Finals on Monday night, effectively putting the series away, but instead they let the San Antonio Spurs walk out of Madison Square Garden with a win and momentum.
A large reason for the loss was the play of Karl-Anthony Towns.
New York fell to the Spurs 115-111, and Towns finished with just 11 points and eight rebounds on 4 of 10 shooting from the floor.
Read More on NBA
Victor Wembanyama, who was getting out-physicaled by Towns in the first two games, went off for 32 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, shooting 11 of 18 from the field.
ESPN's "Get Up" crew came after Towns hard Tuesday morning.
Monica McNutt said plainly that while Brunson has to play well, Towns "has to be the version he was in Games 1 and 2" and "at least needs to engage the defense at a higher level."
Alan Hahn put it even more bluntly.
"He (Towns) was kicking his (Wembanyama's) butt in the first two games. What did they do? They said, 'Well, Wemby can't handle KAT, so let's get him off him.' That's a win for you, KAT. You made them change their defense and say the other team's star center can't guard you ... instead of using that to empower you, he went down to the post and didn't want the ball," Hahn said.
"There were times that offense did struggle because he didn't want the ball, and that was a problem ... He needs to be engaged in Game 4 no matter who the hell's guarding him," Hahn added.
More news: Kendrick Perkins Fires Warning Shot at Victor Wembanyama Before Game 3
KAT was dominant in Games 1 and 2. He finished with 18 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists in Game 1, then posted 21 points, 13 rebounds, and four assists in Game 2, knocking down 66.7% of his shots from the field, including 3 of 5 from deep.
Another strong performance on Monday night, and he would have been the favorite for Finals MVP. Instead, he didn't seize control of the moment and let the other team's 7-footer take over.
More news: 76ers’ President Sends Clear Message on Joel Embiid’s Future Amid Trade Rumors
...
More news: Thunder GM Sam Presti Addresses Lu Dort’s Future With OKC
Bot teams now head back to MSG for a critical Game 4 on Wednesday night.
If Towns is passive again, the Spurs could easily tie this series heading back to San Antonio, a dangerous spot for the Knicks to be in.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines