The New York Knicks are in the NBA finals for the first time since 1999. Every game so far has been a close, back and forth contest with both teams trading leads. Some players might fold under this pressure at the biggest stage.
This does not apply to Karl-Anthony Towns.
“In and out, Towns another offensive rebound, count it and a foul. Karl Anthony Towns chance for a three-point play. It's back to three,” said an announcer during one game.
In an interview on ESPN's "Volkswagen Postgame" following Game 2 of the series, Towns was asked about his grief over his mother as he competes for the championship, reports The Christian Post.
Towns lost his mother in 2020 due to a coma that she fell into after catching COVID-19. He quoted Philippians 4:13 while talking about the dark time in his life.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, but I was strengthened on April 13th when I lost my mother. That's been my favorite Bible verse my whole entire life, since I was little,” Towns says. “What I do know is that I truly can do anything when I walk in faith.”
He said that, besides losing a child, nothing is worse than losing a parent, saying it’s an event that strengthens a person. That’s why he has the verse tattooed on his neck along with the date of his mother’s death because he was strengthened on that day.
Philippians 4:13, a very popular Bible verse, especially among athletes, is listed in both Karl-Anthony's Instagram and X biographies.
Through four games in the finals so far, Towns is averaging 15.8 points per game, alongside 10.8 rebounds and a 54.8 field goal percentage. Now, after a 29-point comeback win at home in Game 4, the Knicks are one win away from claiming an NBA championship.
Game 5 is set for San Antonio, Texas, on Saturday, with tip off being at 8:30 p.m. EDT.
