In a thrilling Game 1 of the NBA Finals, New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns experienced an unexpected sense of calm, which he attributes to the presence of his late mother, Jacqueline Cruz-Towns. The game, held at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, saw the Knicks secure a 105-95 victory over the Spurs.

Towns’ mother passed away in April 2020 due to complications from COVID-19. Despite her absence, Towns felt her presence throughout the day, which he described as a source of peace and confidence. Speaking to the “Inside The NBA” crew on ESPN, Towns shared, “I don’t know what it was, but I just felt a calm and a peace that, I don’t know, had to be coming from the woman above.”

His performance was crucial in the Knicks’ comeback, particularly in the third quarter when they erased a 14-point deficit. Towns played a pivotal role by creating second-chance opportunities and defending against Spurs star Victor Wembanyama, which helped shift the momentum back to the Knicks.

Towns concluded the game with 18 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, and one block, achieving another double-double in the playoffs. Despite admitting that the Knicks’ offensive game wasn’t at its best, Towns emphasized the importance of their defensive efforts in securing the win.

The victory marks the Knicks’ 12th consecutive win in their remarkable playoff run. They aim to continue their success in Game 2 against the Spurs on Friday night before returning to Madison Square Garden next week.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.