Karl-Anthony Towns has been one of the biggest reasons behind the New York Knicks’ strong run to a 2-0 lead in the 2026 NBA Finals.
Amid his impressive performances against the San Antonio Spurs, one surprising statistic recently caught the attention of NBA insider Marc Stein.
Marc Stein Highlights Surprising Fourth-Quarter Stat for Karl-Anthony Towns
The Knicks big man has made an impact on both ends of the floor throughout the series, helping New York win back-to-back road games in San Antonio.
In the latest edition of “The Stein Line,” veteran NBA insider Marc Stein revealed that Towns had not scored a single fourth-quarter point through the first two games of the NBA Finals despite being widely seen as one of New York’s best players in the matchup against WCF MVP Victor Wembanyama.
“Remarkable Stat Alert: As well as he has played in this series, routinely painted as winning his matchup with Victor Wembanyama, Towns’ next fourth-quarter point in these Finals will be his first,” Stein wrote. “True story: He didn’t score in either fourth quarter in San Antonio,” Stein noted.
The stat is especially surprising because of how well Towns has played throughout the playoffs. Stein noted that the Knicks star has averaged 17.3 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game during New York’s playoff run while shooting an impressive 57.0% from the field and 48.1% from 3-point range.
Even without scoring in the fourth quarter of the Finals, Towns has continued to make a major impact. He finished with 18 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists in New York’s 105-95 Game 1 win before recording 21 points and 13 rebounds in the Knicks’ dramatic 105-104 Game 2 victory.
Those performances have helped the Knicks become just the third team in NBA history to start the Finals with two road wins while moving within two victories of their first championship since 1973.
For much of his career, Towns faced criticism about his defense and his ability to deliver in big games. However, many of those concerns have faded during New York’s championship run this year.
While Jalen Brunson remains the Knicks’ main offensive star, Towns has become one of the most important players in the series. His ability to stretch the floor has created matchup problems for the Spurs, while his defense against Wembanyama has made life difficult for the young superstar.
At the same time, Towns’ strong play has also boosted his case in the Finals MVP race. After posting back-to-back double-doubles and helping the Knicks take control of the series, he has moved closer to the top of the Finals MVP conversation.
What makes Stein’s observation even more surprising is that Towns has been one of New York’s most effective players despite not scoring a single point in the fourth quarter.
That unusual trend could change quickly as the series shifts to Madison Square Garden for Game 3 on Monday, June 8.
The Knicks will host their first NBA Finals game since 1999 while carrying a 2-0 series lead and a 13-game playoff winning streak.
With the Spurs under huge pressure to avoid falling behind 3-0, Towns will once again play a major role as New York looks to move one step closer to a long-awaited championship.
