The New York Knicks did not celebrate like a team satisfied with reaching the Eastern Conference finals. That stood out immediately after Sunday’s 144-114 win over the Philadelphia 76ers completed a second-round sweep and tied the NBA playoff record with 25 made 3-pointers.
Instead of discussing accomplishments, Karl-Anthony Towns repeatedly focused on discipline, adjustments and what still needs to improve.
“I’ve always said that the toughest game is the one that ends someone’s season,” Towns said after the victory. “To see us taking those words serious, it’s great.”
The Knicks have now won seven straight playoff games under first-year head coach Mike Brown and own the largest point differential through two playoff rounds since the NBA expanded to a 16-team postseason field in 1984. Yet Towns made it clear the locker room is not treating this run like the final destination.
“Now we got to reset,” Towns said. “We got to readjust, get our minds back in right, and enjoy this time with our family and get back to business.”
New York overwhelmed Philadelphia from the opening minutes. Miles McBride replaced the injured OG Anunoby in the starting lineup and erupted for 25 points while drilling seven 3-pointers.
Towns called it one of the best performances he has seen from McBride.
“The start of the game really was the Deuce McBride show,” Towns said. “He went out there and hit some really big shots that gave us momentum.”
The Knicks buried 11 3-pointers in the first quarter alone, tying an NBA playoff record for a quarter, and finished 25-for-44 from deep overall. Towns contributed 17 points and 10 assists in only 20 minutes as New York repeatedly punished Philadelphia’s defensive rotations.
Towns also credited Brown for adjusting his role during the playoffs and using him more frequently as a facilitator after the Atlanta series pushed the Knicks into difficult situations earlier in the postseason.
“Shout out to the coaching staff for realizing adjustments need to me,” Towns said. “Also shout out to them for me personally that they trusted me.”
The veteran center joked that Brown avoided criticism because the adjustments immediately worked.
“Well, no criticism ’cause we didn’t get to give him a chance to get it,” Towns said with a smile.
Towns has reached multiple conference finals during his career, but he described this Knicks group differently because of its collective mindset. Last year’s team celebrated emotionally after eliminating Boston in the second round. This version has reacted with far more restraint.
“This year, we just have another year with each other,” Towns said. “I think it’s just us being very locked into the moment and understanding that there’s a lot more work to do.”
That mentality has become a defining part of New York’s playoff identity. The Knicks have consistently jumped on opponents early, shared the ball and maintained defensive pressure even in games that quickly became lopsided.
“I think it speaks volumes about this team where we’re at mentally,” Towns said. “We understand collectively that the job’s not done.”
The chemistry between Towns and Mitchell Robinson has also become increasingly important during the postseason. Towns pointed to their growing comfort together after a first-half sequence where McBride screened for him near half court before Towns found Robinson for an easy basket.
“That comes with just chemistry, time on the court, time playing with each other,” Towns said. “It paid dividends when we were able to be on the court together this playoff.”
The Knicks now wait for the winner of the Cleveland Cavaliers-Detroit Pistons series with several days off before the conference finals begin. Towns said the focus during the break will remain internal.
“We got to be the best version of ourselves first and foremost,” Towns said. “When we start the next series, we’re at our best version of the year.”
