New York Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns discussed his prayer to his late mother, Jacqueline Cruz-Towns, following the team’s 105-104 win over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 2 of the 2026 NBA Finals.<\/p>\n
“I needed this stop,” Towns said in an interview with ESPN’s Lisa Salters (0:07 mark). “It’s amazing as you go through life, you lose a parent, you just look for signs. I’ll take any sign I can get and I prayed to her strong before that possession. A great player got a great shot, it just didn’t go in. It’s great defense. Shout-out to Mitch, shout-out to our team. But I take it as a sign my mom was here with me so I appreciate her so much.”<\/p>\n
With New York holding a one-point lead late in the fourth quarter, San Antonio had an opportunity to win at the buzzer before Victor Wembanyama was unable to connect on a jumper over the outstretched arm of Knicks center Mitchell Robinson.<\/p>\n
Towns was a key factor in the victory, scoring a team-high 21 points and pulling down a game-high 13 rebounds. He shot 8-of-12 from the field, including 3-of-5 from behind the arc. <\/p>\n
Towns’ mother died in April 2020 from COVID-19 complications.<\/p>\n
The six-time All-Star also said that he felt her presence in Game 1 of the 2026 Finals. <\/p>\n