As the New York Knicks chase their first NBA championship in more than 50 years, star center Karl-Anthony Towns says one Bible verse has remained at the center of both his basketball journey and his personal life: Philippians 4:13.
Speaking with ESPN's Scott Van Pelt following New York's Game 2 victory over the San Antonio Spurs, Towns reflected on the loss of his mother, Jacqueline Cruz-Towns, who passed away in April 2020 due to COVID-19 complications.
"I feel like other than losing a child, there's nothing worse you could go through, and it builds you up, and it strengthens you beyond measure," Towns said. "That's why I got Philippians 4:13 and the date tattooed on my neck."
The verse - "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" - has been Towns' favorite since childhood, but he says its meaning deepened after his mother's death. "I was strengthened on April 13 [2020] when I lost my mother," he explained.
Towns added that his faith continues to guide him on the court. "I truly can do anything when I walk in faith. When I walk with the angels beside me, I feel anything's possible. I feel nothing's impossible," he said.
After the Knicks' Game 2 win, Towns also shared that he felt his mother's presence during a key moment late in the game, saying he prayed to her before a crucial possession.
As New York looks to close out the series, Towns' story is a reminder that even amid grief, faith can become a foundation for strength - both on and off the court.
