Karl-Anthony Towns recently celebrated his first NBA title alongside Knicks icon Patrick Ewing.
Following New York’s victory in Game 5, the two met on the court at San Antonio’s Frostbank Center. Towns recognized the significance of the Knicks’ first championship in 53 years for Ewing, who is a beloved figure in the franchise’s history.
“It was incredible to witness how this victory has brought healing to so many in New York—not just the fans, but also the alumni like Patrick,” Towns remarked during an appearance on the “Howard Stern Show.”
He added, “When I embraced Patrick, it felt like he could finally relax and take in the trophy on his Knicks jersey.”
Ewing, who played 15 seasons with the Knicks, made it to the playoffs 13 times and reached the Finals twice.
In 1994, New York was just one game shy of defeating the Rockets but fell short in Games 6 and 7. It was a similarly heartbreaking situation in 1999 when he injured his Achilles tendon in the Eastern Conference finals, forcing him to miss the championship series, which the Spurs won.
A Hall of Famer, Ewing became the Knicks’ basketball ambassador in 2024.
“To finally see that Larry O’Brien trophy… There was a healing that surprised me, not because of Michael Jordan or anyone else,” Towns noted. “I didn’t fully grasp the impact of it all, and I’m not sure I completely understand the true significance of what we accomplished just yet.”
Towns, who hails from Edison, New Jersey—about 30 miles from New York City—was raised as a Knicks fan, inspired by Jeremy Lin.
He expressed how meaningful it was to witness the joy this win brought to the fans and to be part of something so special for the kids in New York.
“You can’t picture a little kid watching a Knicks game with his dad, winning, and now that same kid is celebrating the same moment with his son,” Towns reflected.
