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Karl-Anthony Towns suits up for win after father's advice
Towns dropped 26 points and 15 rebounds in the Knicks' 93-92 victory over the Nets.
Mar. 21, 2026 at 7:27am
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Karl-Anthony Towns didn't expect to play on Friday night, but he followed the wishes of his father, Karl Sr., who is recovering from a medical procedure, and ended up scoring 26 points with 15 rebounds in the Knicks' 93-92 win over the Nets. Towns lost his mother to COVID-19 in 2020, and his father is a mainstay at his games, frequently flying commercial to follow the team on road trips.
Why it matters
This story highlights the close relationship between Towns and his father, and how family support can motivate an athlete to perform at a high level, even when facing personal challenges. It also touches on the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on NBA players and their families.
The details
Towns was listed as questionable for personal reasons before the game, but he decided to play after his father insisted. 'I wasn't going to play. My pops was adamant he wanted me to play,' said Towns. 'So I said I would. So I showed up just for the game to play. I'm going to head right back out and go be with him again for the road to recovery.' Sources said Karl Sr.'s medical issue is not life-threatening.
- Towns scored 26 points and grabbed 15 rebounds in the Knicks' 93-92 win over the Nets on March 20, 2026.
The players
Karl-Anthony Towns
An NBA player for the New York Knicks who lost his mother to COVID-19 in 2020.
Karl Sr.
The father of Karl-Anthony Towns, who is recovering from a medical procedure and is a mainstay at his son's games.
What they’re saying
“I wasn't going to play. My pops was adamant he wanted me to play. So I said I would. So I showed up just for the game to play. I'm going to head right back out and go be with him again for the road to recovery.”
— Karl-Anthony Towns
The takeaway
This story highlights the importance of family support and how it can motivate an athlete to perform at a high level, even when facing personal challenges. It also serves as a reminder of the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on NBA players and their families.
