Karl-Anthony Towns is motivated to push through with the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals, knowing that he is walking with the "angels" beside him.
The 2026 NBA Finals are a huge revelation for Karl-Anthony Towns, charging the New York Knicks with being two more wins away from clinching their first-ever title since 1973.
For the superstar big man, none of his brilliant performances would be possible if it weren't for the guidance and inspiration that his late mother provided him.
"To be vulnerable, I mean, when you go through something like that, I feel like other than losing a child, there’s nothing worse you could go through. It builds you up and strengthens you beyond measure," Towns reflected on losing his mom in an appearance on ESPN's SportsCenter. "That’s why I have Philippians 4:13 and the date tattooed on my neck, 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.'
"I was strengthened on April 13th when I lost my mother. That’s been my favorite Bible verse my whole life, since I was little. I didn’t know the significance it would have in my life when I became an adult. But what I do know is that I truly can do anything when I walk in faith, when I walk with the angels beside me. I feel anything is possible, nothing is impossible."
Towns' mother, Jacqueline Cruz-Towns, died on April 13, 2020, due to complications from COVID-19. She was 58 years old.
Since then, Towns has played every step of his career in honor of his mother, from proudly representing the Dominican Republic at the international stage to his current star role with the Knicks.
Towns served as the main catalyst of the Knicks' massive 105-104 Game 2 win against the San Antonio Spurs, finishing with 21 points, 14 rebounds and four assists.
Riding a massive momentum with the Knicks, Towns is looking to get the job done for the entire New York with the help of his mom above and the people close to him.
"I bring up the word grateful all the time. I’m just grateful to be in this position because I know a lot of my friends are not here to see this moment, to give me that hug or text message. I’m doing this for them. I do it for my mother’s country, for everybody in the Dominican Republic, for everyone in the city that welcomed my mother when she immigrated over, and for my family in New Jersey who allowed me to be raised and to love this game of basketball," Towns added.
"It takes a tribe, it takes a village, and I’m so blessed to have the village I’ve had in my life to get to this point."
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