New York Knicks coach Mike Brown said going back to basics was the key to getting the best out of Karl-Anthony Towns, after he led a stirring fightback to beat the Houston Rockets.

The Knicks overcame an 18-point deficit in the fourth quarter to win Sunday's game at Madison Square Garden 108-106, with Towns playing a starring role.

Seven of Towns' team-high tally of 25 points came in the fourth quarter, while OG Anunoby and Jalen Brunson had 20 points, with the latter hitting the go-ahead basket.

Recent trade addition Jose Alvarado had his second five-steal game for the team, also becoming the second player in NBA history to reach 11 steals and 10 made 3-pointers in a three-game span without starting, after J. R. Smith did so in February 2010.

Speaking after the game, Brown lifted the lid on the conversation he had with Towns when the Knicks' backs were against the wall.

"We've simplified our offense a lot to try to fit him and everybody else at the same time," Brown said.

"I drew up a play and was talking about offense, and then KAT said, 'At the end of the day, it starts defensively. We've got to get a stop'. He led the charge on that end of the floor."

stayed the course. fought back for the W.

KAT 25 PTS | 7 REB | 1 STL
Jalen 20 PTS | 3 REB | 6 AST
OG 20 PTS | 4 STL
Landry 14 PTS | 2 AST
Mikal 11 PTS | 6 REB | 5 AST
Jose 8 PTS | 4 AST | 5 STL pic.twitter.com/QEsWYJ7H7z

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) February 22, 2026

The Knicks are now 36-21 for the season, the joint third-best record in the Eastern Conference, alongside the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

"I said we could win this game; I've seen us do it," Towns said. "I wanted to do my part and get that stop. 

"From then on, we just wanted to set the tone for our team and the intensity level we needed to play for 12 minutes and come out with a win."

Kevin Durant had a game-high 30 points for the Rockets, and the two-time NBA champion said they only had themselves to blame for losing control of the game.

"We gave them momentum; I think we relaxed just a bit. The game felt like it was in our control," Durant said. 

"I know it's hard to say, but it's a vital time for us to keep growing and keep getting better."