How Knicks made decision to change Karl-Anthony Towns’ role in playoff-altering decision

Karl-Anthony Towns called his own shot — in order to get better shots for those around him.

There has been so much written and said about the change the Knicks made with Towns, and the decision to play their offense through him as a facilitator from the elbows.

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It has been a central storyline of their unprecedented dominance through the first two rounds.

But how was that decision reached?

Towns claimed that when the Knicks trailed 2-1 in the first round against the Hawks, he went to the coaching staff and vouched for the change.

“You’re down 2-1, obviously it’s not the end of the world but you guys understand the importance of the next game. … You go in there and say how you feel, your feelings, your idea and see if it’s received,” Towns said after practice Friday. “And it was received.”

It certainly has been.

And across the two years of this core and the one year under coach Mike Brown, it’s unlocked the best version of these Knicks.

Karl-Anthony Towns looks to pass during the Knicks’ May 10 playoff game against the 76ers. NBAE via Getty Images

Towns has more than doubled his regular-season average of 3.0 assists per game to 6.6 in the postseason.

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It’s allowed those around him — notably Jalen Brunson — to be cutters and screeners off the ball, resulting in better shot quality for them.

It’s made the Knicks offense much more dynamic.

The Knicks have won seven straight postseason games since then.

They have a point differential of plus-185 points in that span.

Their 125.3 points per game on offense is the most among playoff teams.

Karl-Anthony Towns looks to move with the ball during the Knicks’ May 10 playoff game. Jason Szenes for the NY Post

Towns, from the preseason through the entirety of the regular season, was not shy about his thoughts on his role in the offense.

There were constant statements about getting used to Brown’s system and trying to adjust to what Brown wants him to do.

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There were a few times he struggled to find answers as to why he was so uninvolved.

Mike Brown addresses reporters during a May 13 press conference. Charles Wenzelberg

It…

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Publish date : 2026-05-15 22:21:00

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