Karl-Anthony Towns: I just want to dominate the game like Shaq did

After delivering a masterclass in versatility—notching critical triple-doubles in both Game 4 and Game 6—Towns paused to reflect on the childhood memories that shaped his approach to the game. When asked if any specific playoff matchups from his youth came to mind after his recent stat-sheet-stuffing performances, Towns pointed directly to the purple and gold. “You grow up, you’re watching in my era, you’re watching the Lakers win with Shaq and Kobe,” Towns told me following the Knicks Game 6 elimination game win over the Atlanta Hawks .