Karl-Anthony Towns credited the New York Knicks’ renewed physicality for a decisive shift in their playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks, saying the team has done “a great job executing with our physicality” since dropping Games 2 and 3.
The adjustment has paid immediate dividends. By forcing Atlanta into half-court sets, New York has neutralized one of the Hawks’ most dangerous weapons: their ability to push the pace and score in transition.
Slowing Atlanta Down
The Hawks — a young, athletic team that thrives in open-court situations — managed just seven fast-break points in Game 4 and a mere four in Game 5, a significant drop-off that reflects the Knicks’ deliberate defensive strategy.
Playing slower basketball benefits New York in a concrete way: it allows the Knicks to exploit their size advantage in the half-court, where Towns and the team’s frontcourt can impose themselves physically on a smaller Atlanta roster.
Controlling the Tempo
The tactical shift has effectively allowed New York to dictate the game’s flow, steering the series back in their favor after an early deficit. If the Knicks maintain this approach, Atlanta will face an increasingly difficult path to advancing.