Karl-Anthony Towns put up one of the most efficient performances in the NBA Finals, not just with his physicality, but also his floor spacing and ball control. 

He finished with a plus-minus of +258, the most in NBA history since they began tracking in 1971. For reference, that outdid Curry’s +244 in the 2016-2017 NBA season. 

The only main defect for Towns in the finals was getting into foul trouble. While that did cost him in Game 5, playing just 23 minutes and scoring two points, his all-around effort and ability to hold off Victor Wembanyama on the glass backed up the Knicks down the stretch. 

The pride he carried while playing for his late mother, Jacqueline Cruz-Towns, who passed away from complications related to the coronavirus in April 2020, makes this a true full-circle moment as well. 

Towns averaged a double-double throughout the playoffs, averaging 15.9 points per game and 10.6 assists per game. While he didn’t take the highest volume of shots in the playoffs, he was shooting at an efficient 55.1% from the floor and nearly 46% from deep. 

He was their primary two-way threat in their title run, especially in the Finals. Even when he didn’t score late in games or even a single point in the fourth quarter through the first three Finals games, his contributions came by fending off the French phenom in Wembanyama. 

While Wembanyama’s numbers, 26.0 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 3.6 blocks don’t look bad, it was in those big moments that Towns helped shut him down. Towns forced him out on the perimeter on a lot of possessions, where he shot an inefficient 27.3% from deep. 

His strength and mobility resulted in securing double-digit boards in four of their five games. His eight boards in their game three loss were in large part due to missing a lot of the third quarter due to foul trouble. Without his physicality, the Knicks don’t get those second looks and forge those comebacks led by Jalen Brunson. 

After 10 seasons of frustration and heartbreak, Towns finally got the prized possession in his 11th season. Battling through five playoff round defeats, three in the first round, Towns showed up in his first NBA Finals. 

His consistency throughout the majority of the Finals may never be replicated again. Any concerns over his drive and motivation to win were surely answered after these finals. 

Towns was not only playing for his team, but his mother as well. Delivering an inspiring performance, Towns surely made his mother proud.