For New York Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns, winning an NBA championship was a dream realized. But behind the celebration was a deeply personal journey marked by grief, sacrifice and the struggle to rediscover the joy he once found in basketball.
Speaking Saturday at the Project Healthy Minds World Mental Health Day Festival in New York City, Towns opened up about losing his mother, Jacqueline Towns, and how her death changed his relationship with the sport that had defined much of his life.
The conversation, titled Turning Tragedy Into Triumph: New York Knicks Star & NBA Champion Karl-Anthony Towns on Grief, Loss, and High Performance, was moderated by Rich Kleiman, co-founder and CEO of Boardroom, at Spring Studios in Manhattan.
Losing his mother and his passion for basketball
Towns lost his mother in April 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her death left him navigating an enormous personal loss while continuing to compete at the highest level of professional basketball.
“I lost that feeling that basketball gave me worth,” Towns told the audience.
Basketball had once been a source of purpose and fulfillment. But after his mother’s death, Towns described losing the emotional connection that had made the game meaningful.
He recalled that his agent had even questioned whether he would ever play basketball again.
Although he continued his professional career, Towns described a period when he was simply going through the motions.
His father still enjoyed watching him play, but Towns struggled to experience that same joy himself.
The loss also prompted him to reflect on the time he had devoted to basketball and the moments he missed with his mother while pursuing professional success.
How Jordyn Woods helped him love basketball again
Towns credited his wife, Jordyn Woods, with helping him rediscover his passion for basketball.
As he struggled to reconnect with the game, Woods’ enthusiasm and enjoyment of basketball helped him see it differently.
“She made me love it again,” Towns said.
His comments highlighted the importance of supportive relationships, particularly during periods of grief and emotional uncertainty.
Towns also spoke about feeling his mother’s presence as he continued achieving important milestones in his career.
Although she was no longer physically there to celebrate those moments, her influence remained an important part of his journey.
The sacrifices behind winning a championship
Towns also reflected on how much he had sacrificed in pursuit of basketball success.
Winning an NBA championship represented years of dedication, discipline and commitment. But his reflections revealed another side of that achievement: the personal experiences and moments with loved ones that cannot be recovered.
He spoke about the time he could have spent with his mother and the regrets that come with realizing how precious those moments were.
His comments offered a reminder that even the greatest professional accomplishments cannot replace time lost with the people we love.
For Towns, reaching the pinnacle of basketball did not erase the grief he carried.
Instead, the championship became another part of a journey shaped by loss, resilience and the continued influence of his mother.
Faith, accountability and protecting your peace
Faith was another central theme of the conversation.
Towns referenced Philippians 4:13, the biblical passage about finding strength through Christ, and expressed his belief in God’s timing.
He also encouraged people to surround themselves with individuals who bring peace into their lives.
Towns discussed how being around people who strive for excellence can be motivating and encourage personal growth.
But he emphasized that meaningful relationships are not simply about receiving praise or encouragement. They also involve accountability.
“My wife holds me accountable. My friends hold me accountable and my dad for damn sure holds me accountable,” Towns said.
His remarks reflected the value he places on having people in his life who support him while also challenging him to grow.
Knicks prepare to raise championship banner October 20
Towns’ remarks came just 10 days before the New York Knicks are scheduled to raise their 2026 NBA championship banner at Madison Square Garden.
The October 20 ceremony will take place ahead of the Knicks’ season opener against the Philadelphia 76ers, celebrating the franchise’s first NBA championship in 53 years.
The historic milestone represents another achievement in Towns’ career, but his reflections Saturday revealed the personal experiences behind that success.
He has reached the highest level of professional basketball while carrying the loss of one of the most important people in his life.
And although his mother is no longer physically present, Towns described continuing to feel her presence as he moves through life and celebrates new accomplishments.
Finding worth beyond basketball
Towns’ appearance at the World Mental Health Day Festival highlighted a broader conversation about grief, identity and the emotional demands of high performance.
For professional athletes, success is often measured in championships, statistics and individual accomplishments.
But Towns’ reflections illustrated how a person’s sense of worth can become connected to achievement and how devastating loss can change that relationship.
His experience also demonstrated that grief does not simply disappear when life brings new accomplishments.
Finding joy again can involve reconnecting with meaningful relationships, rebuilding a sense of purpose and learning to carry the memories of those who are gone.
The conversation was part of Project Healthy Minds’ fifth annual World Mental Health Day Festival, which brought together voices from sports, entertainment, mental health and culture to promote conversations about emotional well-being.
For Towns, the message extended well beyond basketball.
Winning brought him a championship. But faith, family and the people closest to him helped him rediscover the joy of the game.
