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Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks

The New York Knicks arrived at Madison Square Garden on Monday night with momentum that had been building for days. The building had a target from the start. Every Joel Embiid touch brought noise, and every Knicks run made the night feel less like a series opener and more like unfinished business.

The Knicks gave their fans plenty to celebrate. By the time the fourth quarter arrived, the game was already gone. New York’s lead reached 40 at its peak, and the Knicks carried a 23-point halftime cushion into a 137-98 win.

The Knicks became the first team in NBA playoff history to win three straight playoff games by 25 points or more. Over the last 4 games, New York has a 135-point differential, the largest in NBA playoff history. Someone put that number to Karl-Anthony Towns after the game. His answer said everything about where this team’s head is.

Towns Sends a Strong Message

The question referenced the last four games and a 135-point differential, the largest in NBA playoff history. It was the kind of stat that invites a player to stop and take in what the Knicks have built.

“You said last four games?” Towns responded. “Keyword is Last. Doesn’t have anything to do with Next. Stay locked in.”

It was a measured answer from a player who understands exactly how these things work. Records and differentials mean nothing if the next game is lost. New York still has to win the series, and Towns’ answer reflected that reality more than the box score.

That is not a player satisfied with a moment. That is a player focused on a series.

GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 04: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks reacts after scoring a three point basket against the Philadelphia 76ers during the third quarter in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 04, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

What Towns Brought to Game 1

Towns did not need volume to shape the game. In just 20 minutes, he finished with 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting, hitting three of his five attempts from three, and added 6 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 blocks.

The foul trouble could have made his night feel disjointed. It did not. Two early fouls sent him to the bench barely five minutes in, but when he returned in the second quarter he made an immediate impact. By halftime, his fingerprints were already all over the game as a scorer, passer, rebounder, and defender.

Embiid never found that same control on the other side. He finished with 14 points on 3-of-11 shooting and a minus-24 rating, unable to impose himself on a Knicks team that targeted him relentlessly in pick-and-roll. Jalen Brunson forced decisions off the dribble. Towns pulled coverage away from the rim. Philadelphia spent too many possessions reacting.

That is where Towns’ value showed. He did not have to dominate the ball to dominate the matchup.

GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 04: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks and Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers take the tip during the first quarter in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 04, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

A Knicks Team Running at Full Tilt

Towns was one part of a performance that left little room for debate about where this Knicks team stands right now.

Brunson led all scorers with 35 points, operating with the kind of efficiency that has become his playoff signature. Mikal Bridges added 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting and made life difficult for Tyrese Maxey, who finished with 13 points on 3-of-9 shooting and four turnovers.

The Sixers looked uncomfortable from the start. The turnovers gave New York easy chances in transition, Philadelphia finishing with 19 on the night. The short turnaround from their Game 7 win in Boston only made the gap feel wider.

The version of this Knicks team that showed up Monday is capable of ending a series quickly. Towns knows that means nothing yet.

GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 04: Og Anunoby #8 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 04, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Final Word for the Knicks

The records are real. The differential is historic. The shooting has been extraordinary across three straight games.

Towns filed all of it away and pointed to the next one.

That is a team that has learned what it takes to go deep in a playoff run. Individual performances and historical footnotes do not move the needle when there are three wins still required. The Knicks have been here before, and the best teams treat a blowout the same way they treat a close win. As one game checked off, nothing more.

The Knicks made history. Towns made it clear they’re staying locked in.