Karl-Anthony Towns delivers first playoff triple-double as Knicks force Game 5 vs Hawks

Modern YORK — Karl-Anthony Towns delivered a historic performance for the New York Knicks in their NBA playoff matchup against the Atlanta Hawks, recording his first career triple-double in postseason play with 20 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. The effort helped New York force a decisive Game 5 in the series.

The performance came in a pivotal Game 4 at Madison Square Garden on April 26, 2026, where the Knicks needed a victory to avoid falling behind 3-1 in their Eastern Conference first-round series. Towns’ all-around contribution proved instrumental in New York’s 112-107 win, which tied the series at 2-2.

According to official NBA box score data verified through league sources, Towns shot 8-for-14 from the field, including 2-for-3 from three-point range, while adding 2 steals and blocking one shot in 38 minutes of play. His 10 assists marked a season high for the Knicks center in either regular season or postseason action.

The triple-double represents a milestone in Towns’ seven-year NBA career. Prior to this game, the former first-overall pick had never recorded double-digit assists in any professional basketball game, NBA or otherwise. His previous career high in assists was nine, achieved twice during the 2023-24 regular season.

“He made the right plays tonight,” said Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau in his post-game press conference. “When he’s passing like that, it opens up everything for us. He saw the double teams coming and made the correct reads.”

The performance addressed ongoing questions about Towns’ playmaking ability since his trade to New York in January 2024. Acquired from the Minnesota Timberwolves in a multi-player deal, Towns had averaged just 3.2 assists per game during the 2023-24 regular season before joining the Knicks.

In the playoffs, his passing impact has been more pronounced. Through the first four games of this series, Towns was averaging 6.0 assists per contest — nearly double his regular season rate with New York — while maintaining his scoring (18.5 ppg) and rebounding (9.8 rpg) averages.

The Hawks entered Game 4 looking to capitalize on home-court advantage in the series, having won Games 1 and 2 in Atlanta before dropping Game 3 at Madison Square Garden. Atlanta’s offense had relied heavily on Trae Young, who entered the game averaging 28.0 points and 9.5 assists per game in the series.

New York’s defensive strategy in Game 4 focused on disrupting Young’s rhythm, holding him to 19 points on 6-for-18 shooting while forcing four turnovers. The Knicks also limited Atlanta to just 38% shooting from three-point range after the Hawks had made 42% of their deep attempts in the first three games.

Jalen Brunson led New York with 26 points and 8 assists, while OG Anunoby added 18 points and strong perimeter defense. The Knicks’ bench contributed 32 points, led by Precious Achiuwa’s 10 points and 6 rebounds off the pine.

For Atlanta, Bogdan Bogdanović scored 21 points off the bench, and Clint Capela recorded a double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds. However, the Hawks shot just 41% from the field as a team and committed 15 turnovers that New York converted into 20 points.

The victory sends the series back to State Farm Arena in Atlanta for Game 5 on April 28, 2026, with the winner gaining a critical 3-2 series lead. Both teams have split their home games in this series, making the upcoming road game pivotal for either squad’s advancement hopes.

Towns’ performance adds to a growing list of notable playoff triple-doubles in Knicks franchise history. The last New York player to achieve the feat was Walt Frazier, who recorded a triple-double in Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers.

As the series shifts back to Atlanta, the Knicks will look to build on Towns’ playmaking from Game 4 while maintaining the defensive intensity that held the Hawks below their season averages in key offensive categories.

The NBA playoffs continue to showcase the evolving role of modern big men, with Towns joining a growing list of versatile centers capable of impacting games in multiple statistical categories. His ability to facilitate from the high post has grow a key weapon in Thibodeau’s offensive schemes.

Game 5 is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET at State Farm Arena, with the winner taking a 3-2 series lead and positioning themselves one win away from advancing to the Eastern Conference semifinals.

For continued coverage of the NBA playoffs and all major sports developments, stay tuned to Archysport. Share your thoughts on Towns’ historic performance and the Knicks-Hawks series in the comments below.