Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Tom Thibodeau Issues Update on Knicks Star After Concerning Injury Ahead of Game 5

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sean Deveney | Last updated May 28, 2025 5:57 PM ET

On Monday, the Knicks had an opportunity to right the ship in their quest to reach the franchise's first NBA Finals in 25 years. They had fumbled away the first two games of the series against the Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals, but had rallied with a thrilling Game 3 win in Indiana to give the team some life.

Another win and they could reclaim not only home-court advantage, but also momentum.

It was the Pacers, though, who dictated the style of play in Game 4, seizing the lead late in the second quarter and not looking back from there. Indiana led throughout the second half of Game 4 and beat back every Knicks rally to take a 3-1 series lead thanks to a 130-121 win.

Star forward Karl-Anthony Towns said after the game that he would not count out this Knicks team, who ground their way past the Pistons in the first round of the playoffs .

"We've been a team that has kind of found a way to do the impossible when it always seemed impossible," Towns said in his postgame press conference. "We just keep fighting. It's gonna be a testament to our whole playoff run. Now we have to be in one of the biggest fights of our lives and of our season."

Towns is the subject of some concern, however, as Game 5 moves back to Madison Square Garden. With 2:11 to play in Game 4, Towns and Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith smacked knees together, sending Towns to the floor, wincing in pain.

Towns declined to address the injury directly after the game. But coach Tom Thibodeau said the good news is that Towns was able to play through the pain, at least for now.

"He was able to go back in, so that was a good sign," Thibodeau said. "And then we'll see where he is after he gets evaluated."

Towns, after a huge performance in Game 3, had 24 points and 12 rebounds in Game 4, though he was frequently targeted defensively in the fourth quarter by the Pacers.

The Knicks and Pacers will tip off Game 5 on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET in New York.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: