The New York Knicks are one step closer to their frist NBA Finals appearance in 26 years, thanks to a 106-100 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Sunday. After dropping two games at home, the Knicks bounced back on the road, led by a stellar performance from Karl-Anthony Towns.

Towns exploded for 20 points in the fourth quarter, spearheading a comeback reminiscent of their first-round series against the Boston Celtics. The Pacers had controlled much of the game, threatening to take a commanding lead in the series. “It was clear to me that I would take the chance in the fourth quarter if I got them,” said Towns, who finished with a game-high 24 points and 15 rebounds.

The Knicks now trail the “Best of Seven” series 2-1. Game 4 is scheduled for Tuesday (Wednesday 2:00 a.m. CEST) in Indianapolis.

“It was clear to me that I would take the chance in the fourth quarter if I got them.”

Understanding NBA Playoff Dynamics

The NBA playoffs are a high-stakes, multi-round tournament that determines the league champion. Sixteen teams, eight from each conference (Eastern and Western), qualify based on their regular-season record. The playoffs follow a bracket format, with teams facing off in best-of-seven series. The first team to win four games advances to the next round. Home-court advantage is awarded to the team with the better regular-season record, giving them an extra game at their home arena. The Eastern and Western Conference champions then meet in the NBA finals to determine the overall league champion. NBA Official Playoffs Format ESPN NBA Playoff Bracket