2008 champion and ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins is proud of New York Knicks All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns, who is two wins away from winning his first championship. Ahead of the Knicks hosting their first NBA Finals game in 27 years, Perkins revealed how Towns has been playing at an elite level for the past three months.
Perkins explained how Towns has taken his game to new heights for the Knicks, per ESPN's NBA Today.
“Karl-Anthony Towns is making me proud. Watching his growth, not just this year, I'm talking about over the last three months,” Perkins said. “I'm watching a whole different level of maturity right now. Even in his interviews and in this game.”
"Karl-Anthony Towns is making me proud."@KendrickPerkins breaks down KAT's performance and his contribution to the Knicks' 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals 🏀 pic.twitter.com/oN66NYxlVy
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 8, 2026
For Perkins, Towns is making his presence felt on both ends of the floor as a scorer, facilitator, and the defensive anchor against All-Star Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs. He led the Knicks with 21 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block in Game 2's 105-104 victory.
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Draymond Green defends Knicks' Karl-Anthony Towns after Game 2
Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) celebrates in the second half during game two of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center
Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Warriors veteran Draymond Green addressed Knicks Karl-Anthony Towns' haters after Game 2's one-point victory against the Spurs. Ahead of Game 3, Green clapped back at people hating on Towns amid the Knicks' 2-0 lead in the Finals, he said, per The Draymond Green Show.
“A lot of guys in the league has had a problem with KAT because a lot of guys have felt like he don't play hard enough, he don't play tough enough, he don't play with the intensity that most people want to see,” Green said. “And I think in watching these playoffs, he's changed that entirely, and it's the key to why they're having the success that they've had.”
Towns is averaging 19.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 4.0 assists through the first two games against the Spurs.
2008 champion and ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins is proud of New York Knicks All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns, who is two wins away from winning his first championship. Ahead of the Knicks hosting their first NBA Finals game in 27 years, Perkins revealed how Towns has been playing at an elite level for the past three months.