Towns’ impact, however, has been somewhat marred by persistent foul trouble throughout the series against the Indiana Pacers. After the Knicks’ vital 111-94 Game 5 victory, NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley did not hold back in addressing Towns’ recurring issue, pointing out the costly “dumb fouls” that have at times hurt New York’s chances.

During a postgame segment, Barkley confronted Towns directly, asking bluntly, “Why do you be getting them dumb fouls?” The Knicks center, known for his offensive prowess and rebounding, has struggled to stay on the floor consistently due to foul trouble.

In the five games against the Pacers, Towns has committed four, three, five, four, and five fouls respectively, often at critical moments. Barkley emphasized the impact of these fouls, noting that when Towns picked up his fourth foul, the Pacers capitalized and made runs that could have swung the momentum.

“When you got your fourth foul, they took you out. They made a run,” Barkley said. “You gotta stop doing that.”

Shaquille O’Neal, also part of the conversation, chimed in with a similar sentiment, underscoring that this was a noticeable and recurring problem for Towns in the series.

Towns’ humble and honest response

Taking the criticism in stride, Towns responded with a chuckle, saying, “God only knows,” when asked why he keeps picking up such fouls. He admitted the issue has hurt his team, adding, “You ain’t wrong. It hurts my team.”

Despite the foul trouble, Towns has been the Knicks’ most consistent offensive weapon, scoring 35, 20, 24, 24, and 24 points in the five games against Indiana. He also contributed heavily on the boards and in playmaking. Towns acknowledged the need to improve his discipline on defense, adding, “I gotta do a much better job of that.”

Towns’ fourth-quarter heroics amid foul woes

Despite these challenges, Towns has shown the ability to “black out” and take over games when it matters most. In Game 3, facing a 3-0 series deficit, Towns scored 20 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter to lead a historic comeback victory for the Knicks. His clutch shooting and aggressive drives helped keep New York’s playoff hopes alive.

With the series now 3-2 in favor of the Pacers, Towns’ ability to stay on the floor and avoid costly fouls will be crucial in Game 6. If Towns can clean up his foul trouble while maintaining his offensive dominance, New York’s chances of forcing a Game 7 and potentially reaching the NBA Finals could improve significantly.