All-Star big man Karl-Anthony Towns on Thursday joined Wilt Chamberlain as only the second 7-footer in NBA history to post multiple triple-doubles in the postseason. The New York Knicks star finished with 12 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in his team’s series-clinching 140-89 win over the Atlanta Hawks in Game 6.
Per ESPN Insights: “Karl-Anthony Towns joins Wilt Chamberlain (9) as the only 7-footers in NBA history with multiple postseason triple-doubles 🔥”
“Big men making big plays 💪”
Big men making big plays 💪
It’s worth noting that Nikola Jokic, who has the third-most triple-doubles in NBA playoffs history (22), is not listed as a 7-footer.
KAT Transforms Knicks Offense
A lot of credit for KAT’s transformation as a playmaker goes to Knicks head coach Mike Brown, who has begun to use the Kentucky alum as an offensive hub more than a go-to scoring option. Towns similarly dropped 20 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds in the Game 4 win against the Hawks — the first postseason triple-double of his career.
After the Knicks advanced to the second round, Mike Brown acknowledged the vital role KAT had played in transforming his team’s offense.
“The biggest thing is we had to change our offense,” Brown said, via ESPN’s Vincent Goodwill.
“Again, not as drastic as we probably did halfway through the year, but we had to change it because every possession was a grind those first three games, especially down the stretch.”
Brown highlighted that the Hawks “forced” the Knicks to play differently because of their wiry, athletic defenders on the wings — Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels and Co. — making it hard for Jalen Brunson to initiate offense from the top of the key.
“They forced us to put our thinking caps on, and they forced us to play different,” Brown said. “Find ways to make the game easier for our players while putting them in their strengths, while trying not to hinder them.”
Knicks Destroy Hawks in Game 6
ESPN Insights provided additional data on how KAT had transformed the Knicks offense, highlighting that the Knicks shot a staggering 71% from the field off passes from Towns during the six-game series against the Hawks.
Karl-Anthony Towns’ playmaking against the Hawks cannot be understated.
The Knicks finished the series shooting 36-51 (71%) off his passes 🎯
Since ESPN began tracking assist opportunities in the postseason in 2015, there have been 444 instances of a player creating 50 shots off their passes in a playoff series.
The 71% off Towns’ passes is the best FG percentage in that span 🙌”
The Knicks will now await the winner of the Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers series in the second round. The Celtics and 76ers will face off in Game 7 on Saturday.
Karl-Anthony Towns Matches Wilt Chamberlain Feat in Knicks Win