Karl-Anthony Towns Stands Up for Knicks Teammate Amid Criticism
Karl-Anthony Towns has massive belief in New York Knicks teammate Mikal Bridges despite his inconsistency in the 2026 NBA playoffs. The Knicks have shattered expectations, reaching the NBA Finals for the first time in 27 years. They face the San Antonio Spurs in Game 1 on Wednesday.
Towns and Jalen Brunson have led the charge, but most players have stepped up throughout a magnificent postseason run. Bridges, however, has been the subject of criticism for his hot-and-cold performances.
Speaking to the press, Towns made clear he has his teammate's back.
"We know the value he brings to our team," the six-time All-Star said. "So all the chatter outside of that locker room doesn't mean anything to us, and it shouldn't mean anything to him."
Karl-Anthony Towns on the scrutiny Mikal Bridges faces:
— SNY Knicks (@sny_knicks) June 3, 2026
"In the moments when Kal had to show the world and Knicks fans how great he is, he's always shown up. He's shown the world why his value is so high and why we were the ones to see the value he brings to a team" pic.twitter.com/LcX4ZwxpUN
Bridges has averaged 14.5 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists across 13 games in the 2026 playoffs. Those numbers closely mirror his regular-season averages, though he struggled shooting in the first round against the Atlanta Hawks.
He bounced back in the Eastern Conference Finals, averaging 18.3 points and 4.7 rebounds in a four-game sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Regardless of his offensive output, Bridges compensates on the defensive end, frequently drawing the opponent's top perimeter threat. He shadowed Cade Cunningham and Donovan Mitchell in the conference semifinals and finals, respectively.
Towns knows Bridges will rise when it matters most.
"It's our job as teammates to continue to uplift him, keep it positive, and also remind him how great he is," Towns said. "And in the moments when Mikal had to show the world and Knicks fans how great he is, he has always shown up."
Towns added that Bridges will be a key factor against an explosive San Antonio squad in the Finals.
"Last year against Boston, this postseason run, he's shown the world why his value was so high and why we were the ones to see the value that he brings to a team," he added.
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This story was originally published June 3, 2026 at 4:35 PM.