Karl-Anthony Towns and the New York Knicks captured attention on Sunday with a notable performance against the Indiana Pacers on the road. However, the spotlight was shared after NBA icon Shaquille O’Neal harshly criticized Towns’ shot choices during halftime of Game 3, highlighting concerns over his decision-making on the court.

The former dominant center, known for his control in the paint, expressed frustration with Towns opting for long-range three-pointers despite being behind in the series. O’Neal’s displeasure escalated when Towns missed a deep three-pointer late in the first half, prompting a sharp response amid a critical moment for the Knicks.

Shaquille O’Neal’s Frustration Over Towns’ Deep Shots

O’Neal openly challenged Towns’ judgment during the halftime broadcast, reacting strongly to the decision to take a 32-foot three-pointer as the Knicks trailed the Indiana Pacers in Game 3. He remarked,

“This shot right here. Look at this…We’d be fighting in the locker room right now. We’re down 0-2, and we’re taking 35-footers? Take a couple of dribbles. Back the little man down, shoot your jump hook.” —Shaquille O’Neal

This blunt critique underscored O’Neal’s belief that Towns should have attacked the basket more aggressively rather than settling for low-percentage perimeter shots, especially with the Knicks facing a challenging deficit in the series. Despite O’Neal’s harsh view, it is worth noting that Towns is an established three-point shooter, boasting a 42 percent shooting percentage from beyond the arc during the regular season.

Still, for many, including O’Neal, taking such contested long-distance shots early in the shot clock and with the team behind is a questionable strategy, particularly for players who are not prolific shooters like Steph Curry. Nevertheless, Towns’ late-game performance changed some minds as he took over in the final quarter to help secure the victory.

Towns’ Impact in the Fourth Quarter Secured Knicks’ Win

Although Towns faced criticism for his earlier shot selections, his 4th-quarter performance was decisive. He dropped 20 of his total 24 points in the final period, demonstrating why he remains a vital player alongside Knicks’ leader Jalen Brunson, who contributed 23 points. Their combined efforts were instrumental in keeping the Knicks’ hopes alive for the series as they prepared for Game 4.

Past Playoff Struggles Highlighted by Shaquille O’Neal

This was not the first time O’Neal has publicly questioned Towns’ playoff contributions. Last season, during Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks, Towns struggled notably, finishing with 14 points and 11 rebounds but shooting a poor 5-for-18 overall and going 0-for-8 from three-point range. Despite the Timberwolves’ narrow loss, O’Neal did not hold back in his postgame assessment.

“Karl-Anthony Towns has not stepped up. 0/8 from three is unacceptable. After you shoot two threes and it don’t go down take your big a** in the lane and do what Chuck has been talking about.” —Shaquille O’Neal

O’Neal’s message was clear: Towns should focus on attacking the basket and utilizing his size in the paint rather than forcing outside shots when they are not falling. Despite this, Towns ended that previous regular season with strong statistics, shooting 50.4 percent from the field and maintaining 41.6 percent from three-point range, proving his overall consistency and value on offense.

Pascal Siakam Acknowledges Towns’ Late-Game Heroics

Opponents also took note of Towns’ crucial contributions in the Knicks’ recent victory. Indiana Pacers star Pascal Siakam praised Towns’ key plays during the closing moments of the game, acknowledging the impact he had during crunch time.

“He made some big plays at the end for them.” —Pascal Siakam

This admission highlights Towns’ ability to influence important moments, even if his shot selection earlier in the game sparked controversy among analysts and fans alike.

Tom Thibodeau’s Coaching Style Adds Pressure on Players

The Knicks’ head coach Tom Thibodeau is known for pushing his players relentlessly, a strategy that has yielded mixed results. While sometimes effective, this approach has also led to serious injuries for players such as Jimmy Butler and Derrick Rose. As the Knicks stand on the brink of elimination in this playoff series, Thibodeau may feel added pressure to guide his team carefully to avoid further setbacks.

Significance of O’Neal’s Critique and Future Outlook

The tension surrounding Karl-Anthony Towns’ shot selection illustrates the broader challenges the Knicks face as they attempt to advance in the playoffs. Shaquille O’Neal’s vocal criticism reflects high expectations for Towns to leverage his physical advantages rather than rely heavily on deep shots, especially in high-pressure scenarios. Yet, Towns’ ability to score crucial points in critical moments keeps him central to the team’s strategy.

As the series moves forward, Towns will likely need to find a balance between his perimeter shooting skills and more aggressive play inside the paint to satisfy both the analysts’ scrutiny and his team’s needs. Meanwhile, the Knicks must maintain momentum and manage the physical demands imposed by Thibodeau’s intensity if they hope to extend their playoff run.