Knicks' Karl-Anthony Towns plays through father's medical emergency, delivers double-double in 93-92 win over Nets

Key facts

• Karl-Anthony Towns' father suffered a medical emergency this week.
• Towns initially wanted to skip the game but his father insisted he play.
• Towns recorded 26 points and 15 rebounds in the Knicks' 93-92 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Friday.
• Jalen Brunson scored 17 points on 7-for-19 shooting in the same game.
• The Knicks' 2025-26 season has seen Towns take a smaller role behind Brunson.
• Towns missed The Devil Wears Prada 2 premiere on April 20, 2026, due to a playoff game against the Hawks.
• Towns has a cameo in The Devil Wears Prada 2 as himself, appearing at Miranda Priestly's Hamptons property.
• Director David Frankel said Towns was chosen because he is 'the best at what he does.'

Father's emergency nearly kept Towns off the court

Karl-Anthony Towns was on the verge of missing the New York Knicks' game against the Brooklyn Nets on Friday after his father suffered a medical emergency. The center, who has a tumultuous family history, told reporters he intended to step away from the team to be with his father during a difficult time. But Towns' father was adamant that his son should play. 'I wasn't going to play. Pops was adamant that he wanted me to play,' Towns said after the game. 'I said I would show up for the game, I will head right back out. I'm gonna be with him again on the road to recovery.' The decision proved pivotal for the Knicks, who eked out a 93-92 victory. Towns delivered a double-double with 26 points and 15 rebounds, filling the void left by an off night from Jalen Brunson, who managed just 17 points on 7-for-19 shooting.

A rare starring role in a season of adjustment

Towns' inspired performance stood out in a season where he has often played a diminished role. After serving as a true co-star during the 2024-25 campaign, the Knicks have asked him to settle into a smaller role behind Brunson this year. Friday's game was a reminder that he can still step up when needed. Head coach Mike Brown expressed frustration after the game about his team's slow starts, a recurring issue this season. Without Towns' contributions, the Knicks could have easily lost, especially given their sluggish beginning. The win also served as an eye-opener for the team, highlighting the importance of having players step up when Brunson struggles. The Knicks may not always have Towns available, and they must learn to adapt.

Towns' Hollywood cameo and a missed premiere

Off the court, Towns has been making headlines for his cameo in The Devil Wears Prada 2, which premiered on April 20, 2026, in New York City. The Knicks star was unable to attend the premiere because the team had a playoff game that night against the Atlanta Hawks, a game they lost. Towns revealed that he was invited but declined, saying simply, 'I had work.' If not for the game, he might have attended. In the film, Towns appears as himself at a weekend gathering at Miranda Priestly's Hamptons property, alongside celebrities like Rory McIlroy and Jon Batiste. Anne Hathaway, a real-life Knicks fan, plays Andy Sachs and compliments Towns in the film: 'It was a great series. It was a thrill to be a New Yorker.' The line blurs fiction and reality, given Hathaway's actual fandom of Towns and the Knicks.

Director explains why Towns was cast

David Frankel, the director of The Devil Wears Prada 2, said Towns was a 'big fan' of the original film and was 'thrilled' to be part of the sequel. Frankel explained that Towns was the kind of person Miranda Priestly would want in her circle: someone who is 'the best at what they do.' 'I think Miranda's world on weekends is filled with cool, interesting people. Anybody who's the best at what they do, she wants to have for lunch,' Frankel said. 'That's how we sought out KAT.' The cameo adds a layer of pop-culture relevance to Towns' profile, even as his primary focus remains on the court.

Playoff push and team dynamics

The Knicks are currently in the midst of a playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks. After falling behind 2-1, Towns recorded a rare triple-double in Game 4 to tie the series at 2-2. Jalen Brunson then broke out with 39 points in Game 5, leading the Knicks to a 126-97 rout and a 3-2 series lead. In Game 6, the Knicks crushed the Hawks 140-89, setting a franchise record with a 47-point halftime lead. The series win sets up a second-round matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers, with the Knicks wondering if they have found their best groove. Towns' ability to balance personal challenges with professional demands has been a recurring theme. His father's medical emergency and the subsequent decision to play underscore the center's commitment to the team, even as he navigates a season of change.

What lies ahead for Towns and the Knicks

As the Knicks advance deeper into the playoffs, Towns' role will continue to be scrutinized. His performance against the Nets showed he can still deliver when Brunson falters, but the team's reliance on him during a personal crisis raises questions about depth and resilience. Towns himself acknowledged the adjustment to a new role, admitting that the Knicks have made him play differently this season. Whether he can sustain this level of play while dealing with family matters remains an open question. For now, the Knicks are riding a wave of momentum, but the road ahead includes a tough second-round opponent. Towns' ability to balance his personal life and professional duties will be crucial to the team's success.

The bottom line

• Karl-Anthony Towns played through his father's medical emergency, recording a double-double in a 93-92 win over the Nets.
• Towns' father insisted he play, demonstrating the family's support for his career.
• Towns has taken a smaller role this season behind Jalen Brunson but can still step up when needed.
• Towns missed The Devil Wears Prada 2 premiere due to a playoff game, but appears in the film as himself.
• Director David Frankel cast Towns because he is 'the best at what he does,' aligning with the film's theme.
• The Knicks advanced to the second round after a record-setting series win over the Hawks.