The New York Knicks will have their superstar centre on Thursday despite injury concerns entering the pivotal contest.
Karl-Anthony Towns has officially been upgraded to available ahead of Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers, the team announced Wednesday, after previously being listed as questionable due to a left-knee contusion.
The injury appeared to occur in the waning minutes of Game 4 on Tuesday. Towns collided with Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith with 2:11 left in regulation time.
He stayed down for some time after the play, clutching at his knee, but managed to remain in the game despite looking slightly hobbled by the end of the 130-121 loss.
Towns finished the game with 24 points, 12 rebounds and three assists while shooting 8-for-15 from the field.
The 29-year-old is averaging 21.3 points, 11.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists while shooting 49.2 per cent from the field and 37.9 per cent from three-point range over 16 post-season contests.
On the other end, the Pacers will also be at full strength as forward Aaron Nesmith will also be available after entering the day as questionable with a right ankle sprain, which he suffered in Indiana's Game 3 loss.
Nesmith, 25, did end up playing in Game 4, finishing with 16 points, three rebounds and two steals in 32 minutes.
New York is currently down 3-1 in the East Finals against Indiana. The sides return to Madison Square Garden for Game 5 on Thursday night, with the Knicks' season hanging in the balance.
