Karl-Anthony Towns is one step closer to his first NBA Finals appearance, and he's bringing the New York Knicks along for the ride. After a dominant sweep of the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday, the Knicks are heading back to the Eastern Conference Finals for the second straight year—and this time, they look like the team to beat.

It wasn't always smooth sailing. After falling behind 2-1 against the Atlanta Hawks in the Quarterfinals, questions swirled about whether this Knicks core could truly contend. But New York silenced the doubters by catching fire at the perfect time, thanks largely to the offensive brilliance of the former Kentucky Wildcat.

Towns has been nothing short of spectacular in these playoffs. In Sunday's series-clinching win, he posted 17 points, 10 assists, four rebounds, and two blocks—all in just 20 minutes of action. Over the four-game sweep, he averaged 15 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, while shooting at an elite level. He currently ranks first in rebounds, third in assists, third in true shooting percentage, and fourth in blocks among all postseason players.

But there's one glaring concern for the Knicks as they push deeper into the playoffs: foul trouble. Towns committed four or more fouls in every game of the semifinals, limiting his minutes and creating lineup inconsistencies. In fact, he's hit that mark in seven of 10 playoff games so far. If New York hopes to win another series—or two—over the next month, KAT will need to clean up his defensive discipline.

Still, with Towns orchestrating the offense at an elite level, the Knicks have emerged as the favorite to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals. For the former Kentucky star, it's a chance to add another chapter to what's already been a memorable postseason run.