Karl-Anthony Towns Struggles in Fourth Quarter During NBA Finals Against Spurs
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns has failed to score a single point in the fourth quarter across all three NBA Finals games against the San Antonio Spurs, despite logging the most fourth-quarter minutes of any Knick. The Knicks, who led the series 2-0, dropped Game 3 as Spurs star Victor Wembanyama scored a game-high 32 points to Towns' 11. The statistical anomaly has raised concerns about Towns' crunch-time production heading into a pivotal Game 4.
Through three NBA Finals games, Karl-Anthony Towns has accumulated 50 points in the first three quarters combined but has gone scoreless in 29-30 fourth-quarter minutes — the most of any Knicks player. By comparison, guard Jalen Brunson has scored 32 fourth-quarter points in roughly 27 minutes over the same stretch. Towns has attempted only six shots in the fourth quarter and recorded just one assist across the series. Knicks coach Mike Brown acknowledged the issue, saying he needs to do a better job of getting Towns involved throughout games, particularly late. The Spurs adjusted their defensive scheme in Game 3, moving away from using Wembanyama to guard Towns and instead deploying smaller defenders, a strategy that appeared to neutralize him. Towns himself pointed to ball movement and execution as the keys to a Knicks turnaround, noting the team is 12-1 in the playoffs when he records four or more assists. With the series now 2-1 in New York's favor, the Knicks face pressure to correct Towns' fourth-quarter disappearing act before the Spurs can level the series.
What's missing
Neither article addresses whether Towns' fourth-quarter scoring drought is partly attributable to the Knicks holding leads and playing more conservatively, which could reduce his shot attempts by design rather than solely due to poor performance or disengagement.
How coverage differed
Newsweek framed the story around Towns' failure and the risk of a historically disappointing collapse, emphasizing external criticism including a pointed ESPN quote. The New York Post took a slightly more balanced tone, giving more space to Towns' and coach Mike Brown's own explanations and the tactical adjustments the Spurs made, presenting the issue as correctable rather than purely a character or effort flaw.
What different sources said
- NewsweekCenter
Revealing Stat Exposes Knicks Karl-Anthony Towns' NBA Finals Weakness
- New York PostRight
Karl-Anthony Towns has simple hope to fix his stunning fourth-quarter futility in NBA Finals
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