Towns' First Playoff Triple-Double Evens Knicks-Hawks Series

NEW YORK — Karl-Anthony Towns recorded his first career playoff triple-double Sunday night, powering the New York Knicks to a 114-98 victory over the Atlanta Hawks in Game 4 and evening their Eastern Conference first-round series at two games apiece.

Towns finished with 31 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists in the wire-to-wire win at Madison Square Garden, becoming the first Knicks center to post a playoff triple-double since Patrick Ewing in 1990. The performance forced a decisive Game 5 back in Atlanta and kept New York's postseason hopes alive after dropping two of the first three contests.

Dominant Performance Shifts Momentum

The Knicks controlled the game from the opening tip, building a double-digit lead in the first quarter and never trailing. Towns orchestrated the offense from the high post while dominating the glass on both ends, grabbing seven offensive rebounds that led to second-chance opportunities.

New York shot 48.7% from the field and held Atlanta to just 41.2% shooting, a marked improvement from their defensive struggles earlier in the series. The Knicks outrebounded the Hawks 52-38, with Towns anchoring the effort alongside forward Josh Hart, who added 12 boards.

Series Shifts to Atlanta

The best-of-seven series now returns to State Farm Arena for Game 5 on Tuesday night, with the winner advancing to face either Miami or Milwaukee in the conference semifinals. Atlanta had seized home-court advantage by winning Game 2 in New York, but Sunday's defeat forces the Hawks to protect their home floor to avoid elimination.

Towns' breakout game came at a critical juncture for the Knicks, who faced mounting pressure after inconsistent performances through the first three games. His ability to facilitate from the post opened driving lanes for guards Jalen Brunson and Donte DiVincenzo, who combined for 39 points.

What We Know

Towns delivered his first playoff triple-double in a must-win Game 4, evening the series at 2-2. The Knicks dominated on both ends, controlling the boards and limiting Atlanta's offensive efficiency. Game 5 in Atlanta will determine which team advances to the second round. What remains unclear is whether New York can sustain this defensive intensity on the road, where they've struggled this postseason.