Knicks' Karl-Anthony Towns Opens Up About Losing His Mother

The star center reflects on the devastating impact of his mother's passing during the pandemic.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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New York Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns has opened up about the profound loss of his mother, Jacqueline Cruz-Towns, who passed away due to COVID-19 in 2020. Towns shared how his mother's presence and support were integral parts of his pre-game routine, and how her absence left a devastating emotional toll during a difficult year that saw more family members succumb to the virus. Despite the tragedy, Towns has continued to honor his mother's memory through his charitable work and community impact.

Why it matters

Towns' story highlights the immense personal challenges that professional athletes can face, especially during times of tragedy and loss. His openness about grieving his mother's death provides a powerful reminder of the human side of sports and the importance of mental health awareness for high-profile figures.

The details

In an interview, Towns reflected on how his mother's ritual of waving to him from the sidelines during warmups made him feel secure and grounded before games. After her passing, he struggled with her absence, constantly looking for her familiar face. The emotional toll was compounded when more of Towns' family members died from COVID-19 in the following months.

  • Jacqueline Cruz-Towns passed away in 2020 due to COVID-19.
  • Towns shared his memories in an interview on NBAT2.

The players

Karl-Anthony Towns

A six-time NBA All-Star and center for the New York Knicks, known for his dominant play on the court and his close relationship with his late mother.

Jacqueline Cruz-Towns

The mother of Karl-Anthony Towns, who passed away in 2020 due to COVID-19, leaving a profound impact on her son's life and career.

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What they’re saying

“Usually, her ritual with me was, I'd be doing my warmup lines, we'd run out, we'd go into our two lines, and we'd start doing our layup lines. My mom made it her thing to stand next to the stanchion and just wave at me. It felt great, being your mom's there, nothing can be wrong. She got me.”

— Karl-Anthony Towns (NBAT2)

The takeaway

Karl-Anthony Towns' openness about the devastating loss of his mother during the COVID-19 pandemic serves as a poignant reminder of the human side of professional sports and the importance of mental health awareness for high-profile athletes. His story highlights the profound impact that a parent's presence and support can have on an individual, even at the highest levels of competition.