Charles Barkley confronts Karl-Anthony Towns over foul trouble - "Why do you be getting them dumb fouls?" 

Charles Barkley called out New York Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns for getting into foul trouble in Game 5 against the Indiana Pacers on Thursday. Towns picked up four fouls with 6:24 left in the third quarter during the 111-94 win, and it could have proved costly for New York as the Pacers made a run to make it a 10-point game.

Towns picked up a fifth with 3:24 left in the fourth and the Pacers trailing by 14. It offered them a chance to go at him and get him off the floor, but he and the Knicks survived and forced a Game 6.

In a sit-down interview after the game, Charles Barkley confronted Towns.

"Hey man, why do you be getting them dumb fouls?"

Towns replied, suggesting he had no clue.

"God only knows," he said.

The Knicks star accepted the flaw in his game after Barkley pointed out one of the incidents from Game 4, where Towns was called for grabbing a Pacers player's wrist. The NBA legend reminded Towns of the potential consequences, pointing to Indiana's run in the third quarter.

Towns was the Knicks' best player on the floor. He finished with 24 points, 13 rebounds and three assists, shooting 50.0%. Towns was a team-high +/- +26. His presence on the court allowed New York to maintain its lead and keep the Pacers at bay despite their runs in the second half.

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Karl-Anthony Towns on playing through injury

Karl-Anthony Towns was questionable to suit up for Thursday's elimination Game 5. He reaggravated a lingering left knee injury late in Game 4. However, Towns eventually played a decisive role in helping the Knicks extend the series. The All-Star center reflected on the decision, saying:

"I looked at the game, it said, 'Game 5 do or die.' That was pretty much all I needed to see. Shout out to our medical staff. They gave me a chance to go out there and compete tonight."

Towns added he put several hours of work into recovery to get ready for the contest. The Knicks have the best medical staff, which has been key to their postseason success after the team failed to stay healthy beyond the reguar season last year, resulting in a second-round exit.

Led by Casey Smith, the staff was recognised as the best NBA Athletic Training Staff.