Karl-Anthony Towns said he turned to prayer and a sense of connection with his late mother during a pivotal moment in Game 2 of the 2026 NBA Finals, as the New York Knicks edged the San Antonio Spurs 105-104 on Friday, June 6. Towns was seen looking upward before the Knicks’ final defensive possession, which ended with Victor Wembanyama missing a jumper after Mitchell Robinson’s contest helped preserve the narrow victory.
In a postgame ESPN interview, the Knicks star explained that the moment was deeply personal. Towns said he prayed for a sign from his mother, Jackie Cruz-Towns, who died in April 2020 at age 58 from complications related to COVID-19. He described the play as evidence that his mother was with him in spirit, saying he would take any sign he could get during such an emotional postseason run. He also praised Robinson and the Knicks’ team defense, emphasizing that the stop was the result of strong execution as well as belief.
Towns has spoken repeatedly about the influence of his mother throughout the Finals. Ahead of Game 1, he said he felt a calm and peace that he believed came from her presence. He also reflected on what it would have meant for her to see him reach the NBA Finals, especially given her journey from the Dominican Republic to New York and her first experience at Madison Square Garden.
The article also revisits the difficult period surrounding his mother’s illness and death. In March 2020, Towns revealed that both of his parents had tested positive for COVID-19. While his father, Karl Towns Sr., recovered, Jackie’s condition worsened after suffering a stroke. Towns later shared that he made the painful decision to remove life support when doctors said she would not recover. He recalled that his family was able to speak to her by video call and that she died surrounded by laughter and love.
In a later vlog, Towns said he had tried to cope with the loss by focusing on supporting his father, sister, and friends, explaining that he was attempting to heal through helping others. He acknowledged that grief would continue to surface and said speaking openly about his experience felt therapeutic.
Amid the emotional and professional milestones, Towns has also celebrated personal happiness. On Christmas Day in 2025, he announced his engagement to Jordyn Woods after five years of dating, adding a positive chapter to a journey marked by both loss and achievement.
