Mike Brown reveals how ‘hub’ Karl-Anthony Towns unlocked Knicks’ Game 3 plan

The New York Knicks moved within one win of their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999 after taking down the Cleveland Cavaliers 121-108 in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Saturday night. Following the win, New York head coach Mike Brown praised center Karl-Anthony Towns for his influence, whose playmaking role helped the Knicks regain control of its offense.

Brown described Towns as New York’s offensive “hub” after the 30-year-old recorded 13 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, three steals and zero turnovers in 36 minutes.

“KAT, he was our hub offensively: seven assists, zero turnovers,” said Brown. “He was really good for us offensively and defensively with three steals, but his ability to fire back in the pick-and-roll situation was really good.”

Mike Brown says Karl-Anthony Towns was the Knicks' "hub" offensively tonight:

"He was really good for us offensively and defensively, the three steals, but his ability to fire back in the pick-and-roll situation was really good." pic.twitter.com/bGwJbLlDxb

— SNY Knicks (@sny_knicks) May 24, 2026

Cleveland had limited Towns’ facilitating role earlier in the series, forcing the Knicks to lean heavily on Jalen Brunson. In Game 3, however, the Cavaliers focused extra defensive attention on Brunson again, and New York responded by returning to Towns as a distributor. The adjustment worked as the Knicks produced one of their most efficient offensive performances of the postseason.

Brunson led New York with 30 points, while Mikal Bridges finished with 22 points, six rebounds, two steals and two blocks on 11-of-15 shooting. OG Anunoby contributed 21 points, seven rebounds and four assists as the Knicks shot 55.8% from the field, knocked down 11 three-pointers and converted 24 of 27 free throws.

New York never trailed in the game and extended its franchise-record playoff winning streak to 10 games. The Knicks have won those games by an average margin of 22.5 points, with all but one victory coming by double digits.

Transition offense also created consistent scoring opportunities in Game 3. New York outscored Cleveland 30-10 in transition and repeatedly capitalized on live-ball turnovers. The Cavaliers committed 17 turnovers, including 11 live-ball giveaways, while the Knicks continued to pressure Cleveland defensively throughout the second half.

The Cavaliers received 24 points from Evan Mobley, 23 from Donovan Mitchell and 19 from James Harden, but again struggled from long range, shooting 12-for-41 from three-point range and 12-for-19 from the free-throw line.

With a 3-0 series lead, New York now sits one win away from reaching the NBA Finals for the first time this century, which they could accomplish in Game 4 Monday night at Rocket Arena.

The post Mike Brown reveals how ‘hub’ Karl-Anthony Towns unlocked Knicks’ Game 3 plan appeared first on ClutchPoints.