Karl-Anthony Towns will be available for the New York Knicks in game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers. The star center suffered a left knee contusion during game 4 but played through the injury to deliver a dominant performance in game 5. The Knicks’ injury report shows no restrictions for Towns, giving New York a full-strength lineup as they attempt to force a decisive game 7.
How Karl-Anthony Towns suffered the knee injury
The injury occurred during game 4 when Karl-Anthony Towns collided with Pacers guard Aaron Nesmith. The incident raised immediate concerns due to Towns’ history of knee problems, including meniscus surgery earlier this season. Key details about the injury: – Diagnosed as a left knee contusion – Occurred from contact with Aaron Nesmith – Towns missed practice time between games – Listed as questionable before game 5
Towns’ impressive game 5 performance despite injury
Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns (Image Source: Getty Images)
Defying expectations, Towns not only played in game 5 but dominated with one of his best playoff performances:
| Stat Category | Game 5 Performance |
|---|---|
| Points | 24 |
| Rebounds | 13 |
| Plus/Minus | +26 (team high) |
| Minutes Played | 35 |
Towns credited the Knicks medical staff for his ability to play, saying they worked around the clock to prepare him for the elimination game. His knee was heavily bandaged but showed no visible limitations during play.
What to expect from Karl-Anthony Towns in game 6
With no injury designation for game 6, Karl-Anthony Towns is expected to: – Play his normal rotation minutes – Continue providing interior scoring – Anchor the Knicks’ rebounding efforts – Help contain Pacers center Myles Turner The New York Knicks dominated points in the paint 60-34 in game 5, a trend they’ll look to continue with Towns at full strength.
Injury comparison: Knicks vs. Pacers game 6 (May 31, 2025)
Here is your formatted table:
| Team | Player | Status for Game 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Knicks | Karl-Anthony Towns | Available |
| Pacers | Isaiah Jackson | Out |
| Pacers | Tony Bradley | Questionable |
The availability of Towns gives New York a significant advantage as they face elimination on the road. His presence allows the Knicks to maintain their preferred rotation while Indiana deals with depth issues in their frontcourt.
How Towns’ health impacts the series
Towns’ ability to play through the injury has become a defining storyline of the series: – Provides emotional lift for teammates – Forces Pacers to adjust defensive strategy – Maintains Knicks’ interior dominance – Allows Thibodeau to use normal rotationsAlso read: How to watch New York Knicks vs Indiana Pacers NBA Eastern Conference Finals Game 6: Time, TV channel, and free live stream (May 31, 2025)With their season on the line, the Knicks will rely heavily on Towns to replicate his game 5 performance as they attempt to extend the series and force a winner-take-all game 7 back at Madison Square Garden.
