LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) -Former Kentucky star Karl-Anthony Towns is a world champion after the New York Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, delivering the franchise its first title since 1973.
Towns played a major role in the Knicks’ championship season, averaging 20.1 points and 11.9 rebounds in the regular season. In the clincher, foul trouble limited him to 23 minutes and just two points, but he still impacted the game with 10 rebounds, three steals, a block and an assist before fouling out.
Knicks star Jalen Brunson powered the Finals run, including a 45-point Game 5 that earned him Finals MVP honors and helped end more than five decades of waiting in New York.
After the victory, Towns held the Larry O’Brien Trophy and dedicated the moment to his late mother, Jacqueline Cruz-Towns, who died in April 2020.
“Thank you momma, I appreciate you getting me one,” Towns said.
With the championship, Towns becomes the 20th player with Kentucky basketball ties to win an NBA title. The list includes recent champions Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Cason Wallace (2025), Jamal Murray (2023) and Anthony Davis (2020), along with Rajon Rondo, Tayshaun Prince, Nazr Mohammed, Antoine Walker, Pat Riley and others.
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