The New York Knicks will try to shake off their narrow defeat in Game 3 of the NBA Finals as they host the San Antonio Spurs once again at Madison Square Garden in Game 4 on Wednesday.
If there is one player on the Knicks who is eager to bounce back, it is Karl-Anthony Towns. He had a subpar performance on Monday, finishing with only 11 points and eight rebounds, although he had three steals and two blocks.
It would be a surreal achievement for Towns if he brings a championship to New York since he was an avid fan of the Knicks growing up.
The 30-year-old center even posted about Jeremy Lin's “Linsanity” run in 2012. He was reminded of it by AJ Dybantsa, who is widely considered to be the No. 1 pick in next month's draft, in a video posted by the NBA.
“Having no school is awesome. I get to watch Jeremy Lin highlights over and over again,” wrote Towns.
KAT was posting about Jeremy Lin on social media when AJ was 5 years old 😂
NBA Player Correspondent @AJ_Dybantsa asks @KarlTowns about the man who birthed his Knicks fandom! https://t.co/WL0OJDYELs pic.twitter.com/rtASmTAyd0
— NBA (@NBA) June 9, 2026
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Lin was present at Madison Square Garden in Game 3, and KAT could not help but gush about the moment.
“It's crazy. He really was the one who birthed my Knicks fandom, and on top of that, now I see him and his kids wearing my jersey, it's kind of crazy,” said Towns, who was the No. 1 pick in 2015.
“Man, life comes full circle. One moment you're celebrating and cheering and trying to find his jersey at Modell's in New Jersey, and next thing you know, he's buying my jersey at the NBA Store. God is good, man.”
Of course, the 19-year-old Dybanta had to tell Towns that he was only five years old when the six-time All-Star tweeted about Lin.
Lin's inspired run was short-lived. But now, New York is having a moment once again, and Towns has a strong chance to etch his name in the city's lore and make his teenage self mighty proud.
The New York Knicks will try to shake off their narrow defeat in Game 3 of the NBA Finals as they host the San Antonio Spurs once again at Madison Square Garden in Game 4 on Wednesday. If there is one player on the Knicks who is eager to bounce back, it is Karl-Anthony Towns.