Knicks’ Karl-Anthony Towns is playing the best defense of his career
Karl-Anthony Towns had time for one more question. Actually, make it two. He’d just finished his postgame press conference at Madison Square Garden, where the Knicks jumped out to a 3-2 lead in their first-round playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks, in large part due to New York’s increased willingness to run offense through its All-Star center.
Towns has answered question after question about his offense, his shot attempts, his touches, his rhythm with team captain and All-Star guard Jalen Brunson. He hasn’t quite spoken about his defense, a wild card for a Knicks team with championship aspirations , an aspect of his game shining through in Round 1. Towns is quietly having one of the best defensive stretches of his NBA career.
He added to his playoff tally with two more blocks and two more steals in the Knicks’ 29-point Game 5 victory over the Hawks on Tuesday. Towns had 12 blocks and 13 steals total over the life of the Knicks’ Eastern Conference Finals run under head coach Tom Thibodeau last season. Through the first five playoff games this season under Mike Brown, he’s already up to nine blocks and seven steals.
“I don’t know,” he said in a walk-and-talk with the Daily News. “But I’m glad you know that I’m able to do something I feel is one of my best assets. ” ‘MEET THE MOMENT’ The scouting report calls it a good shot.
Towns takes it personal. In Game 5 on Tuesday, both CJ McCollum and Jalen Johnson had Towns where they thought they wanted him: on an island, at the top of the key in an isolation situation. Both have come to learn Towns is quicker, lankier and more agile than they expected.
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