Karl Anthony Towns finds his shooting touch again as Knicks’ season gains momentum

Karl Anthony Towns is rediscovering his rhythm for the New York Knicks after weeks of frustrating misses from beyond the arc.

The 7-footer, known for his elite outside shooting, has lifted his form over the past four games, helping the Knicks steady their push in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

His improved three-point accuracy could prove crucial as New York battles the Cleveland Cavaliers and other contenders in a tightly packed standings table.

The turnaround matters because the Knicks currently sit near the top of the East, and Karl Anthony Towns’ outside shooting has long been one of their most dangerous weapons.

When he fires confidently and converts, the entire system flows better. When he struggles, the offence stalls.

Why has Karl Anthony Towns struggled from three-point range this season?

Karl Anthony Towns built his reputation as one of the NBA’s best shooting big men. Last season, he hit 42% from three-point range, a superb figure for any player, let alone a centre.

This season, however, that number dropped sharply to 36.5%, marking the steepest year-on-year decline of his career.

According to NBA player tracking data:

• Over 95% of his three-point attempts are classified as open (no defender within four feet).
• His attempts dipped slightly from 4.7 per game to 4.5 per game.
• The drop cannot be blamed on shot selection, he is still getting clean looks.

Knicks coach Mike Brown explained the slight dip in attempts by pointing to a deeper rotation and reduced minutes for starters. But that alone does not explain the significant fall in shooting efficiency.

Has Karl Anthony Towns now turned a corner?

Recent performances suggest yes.

Over the past four games, Karl Anthony Towns has:

• Averaged 23.8 points per game
• Shot 58.8% from three-point range
• Improved defensively, earning the Knicks’ internal “defensive player of the game” award after a 105–99 win over the Chicago Bulls

That sharp shooting has reignited confidence, both his own and the team’s.

Teammate Josh Hart summed it up clearly: “Whenever you’re making shots and get plays called for you, you feel more involved, feel more in the flow of the game.

Sometimes, for players, that’s all you really need to get back on track. So he had energy making shots, but also defensively, he brought it.”

The link between offence and defence is no coincidence. When a scorer finds rhythm, energy often improves across the floor.

What does this mean for the Knicks’ Eastern Conference race?

The timing could not be better. The Knicks (37–21) are locked in a tight battle with the Cleveland Cavaliers (36–22), who sit just one game behind.

Both sides entered Tuesday’s clash close to full strength, making it a rare high-level showdown without major injury disruptions.

New York Knicks have already secured the season tiebreaker after two earlier wins over Cleveland, including one on Christmas Day.

If Karl Anthony Towns maintains this shooting efficiency, the Knicks’ offence becomes far harder to defend. His ability to stretch the floor opens driving lanes and forces opposing centres out of the paint.

How big is the shooting drop compared to last season?

Here’s a simple comparison:

The table shows something important: the quality of shots has not changed significantly. The difference lies purely in conversion.

That suggests the slump was likely mechanical or rhythm-based rather than tactical.

Is confidence the key factor?

Confidence plays a huge role in elite-level basketball. When Karl Anthony Towns makes early shots, the Knicks often run more plays through him. That involvement increases engagement on both ends of the floor.

We saw that in the recent win over the Bulls, where his improved defence matched his scoring output.

In elite sport, rhythm matters as much as structure. Towns’ recent form suggests he may have found his again.