Knicks need star performance from Karl-Anthony Towns in Game 3 vs. Pistons

The New York Knicks find themselves locked in a heated battle with the Detroit Pistons in Round 1 of the 2025 NBA Playoffs.

We knew heading into the series that the No. 3 seed Knicks were going to get all they could handle from the No. 6 seed Pistons, but perhaps nobody saw Detroit going into Madison Square Garden earlier this week and pulling off a win on the road.

Not only was it a huge road win for the Pistons, but it was their first playoff win since 2008. The odds were against them, but the Pistons are a tough and gritty team that's almost too young to know better.

What they do know now is that they're in the series and have momentum as they play host to the Knicks at Little Caesars Arena on Thursday night. It's going to be a crazy environment because this is a fan base that hasn't seen playoff success in 20 years. 

The Knicks will have to do everything they can to weather the initial storm and energy surge from Detroit, but then it comes down to settling down and playing good basketball.

There's a lot New York needs to do right to turn this series back in its favor, but the biggest thing is perhaps getting five-time All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns back involved in the action.

He was a beast in Game 1 with 23 points and 11 rebounds in 39 minutes of action, but he was largely invisible, especially in the second half, in Game 2. KAT finished with just 10 points and six rebounds, and all of his points came in the first half.

He went 0-for-3 in the third quarter and then somehow didn't take a single shot in the fourth quarter. The Knicks attempted another furious double-digit comeback in the fourth, but it fell short, which allowed Cade Cunningham, Dennis Schroder and the Pistons to hold on to the win.

Had Towns even shot the ball once in that fourth quarter, the outcome may have been different for New York, so it's vital that the Knicks get him involved early and often in Game 3. It's also vital that head coach Tom Thibodeau draws up some action for his All-Star center in the fourth quarter, especially if it's another close game.

For what it's worth, Detroit's going to continue to throw a lot at Towns, just like the Knicks are throwing a lot at Cade Cunningham. It's up to KAT to get it done, though, because this series could quickly get out of hand for New York.

“I just [have to] be aggressive when I get the chance to make a play,” Towns said in the lead up to Game 3, according to Kristian Winfield of the "Daily News". “I’ve been double teamed, triple teamed most of my career, so I feel like I can do a pretty good job. I’m comfortable with that situation happening.”

Just how comfortable Towns is will be crucial for the Knicks.