The Knicks find themselves in a significant dilemma as they trail the Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals. The primary concern lies in the defensive capabilities of their star players, Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, who, despite being elite scorers, struggle to contain opponents effectively. The Knicks have shown their best form with Towns on the floor without Brunson, leading to questions about how to utilize their star players in tandem.

As the series progresses, the Knicks’ playoff performances demonstrate a disturbing trend: their net rating plummets when both Brunson and Towns share the court. This has led to discussions about the effectiveness of their roster construction. With key defensive players like Delon Wright being sidelined in crucial moments, the Knicks' strategy has come under scrutiny. The precarious situation has compounded with Towns' potential injury, raising existential questions for a team that has high aspirations but may be facing a critical crossroads.