Tom Thibodeau explained the lack of minutes for Karl Anthony Towns in the fourth quarter.
The New York Knicks are down 2-0 against the Indiana Pacers in the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals as they are in a 114-109 loss in Game 2.
Speaking of a five-point defeat, the role of Karl Anthony Towns surprised many fans as he put the majority of the second half on the bench.
This caused a huge uproar from the fans. In particular, the company focused on manager Tom Thimbodeau’s previous tactics in the conference finals.
According to data provided by Sofa Scole, the town played a total of 28 minutes with Game 2 losses. In the meantime, he played 13 minutes in the second half while he was on the bench for most of the fourth quarter.
The Towns finished the game with 20 points and 7 rebounds, eight of which came in the second half. He also struggled to shoot well in the last two quarters, only two sixths in the first half despite a quarter show.
Even though Kat struggled somewhat in the second half, fans were shocked by Coach Tibbs’ decision to bench him for the majority of the fourth quarter. However, the Knicks coach defended his decision during a post-game interview.
“We went into the hole and the group that was there gave us a chance, so we were on board and looking for a way to win,” said Thibodeau.
The town had nine minutes left in the fourth quarter and only returned when there was still remaining to play at 2:25. Director Tibbs played Mitchell Robinson in place of Cat during that stretch.
The gambling wasn’t paid off as the Knicks still faced a nine-point deficit when town returned to the floor.
In a post-match interview, the reporter pointed out to the town that nearly 93% of teams who go 2-0 in the playoffs are losing the series.
Kat answered the question wisely, showing his confidence.
“I told you about the word ‘history’, I’m not here to repeat it. We’re here to make it. “More fast enough to win two games last year, especially is as fast as you can lose two games,” Towns said.
“We just have to get a bank in my experience and do it at a higher level,” the Knicks star added.
The Knicks head to Indianapolis for ECF games 3 and 4. It will take immense effort from the team to level the series 2-2, but fans should not count the Knicks yet.