Anything a New York Knicks star does will immediately make waves in the Big Apple, and Karl-Anthony Towns found this out the hard way. Last season, while sidelined with a thumb injury, Towns showed up courtside to support his teammates against the Philadelphia 76ers. However, his choice of outfit quickly stole the spotlight: he was seen wearing an Eagles jacket.
The moment triggered instant reactions from commentators, Knicks fans inside Madison Square Garden, and social media users across the country. At halftime, Towns switched into a Knicks jacket — but the debate had already started.
During a recent appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Towns finally explained the infamous fashion choice.
“What actually happened is, first half’s going on, I’m cheering hard, but I had pit stains. I can’t be on ESPN like that! So I thought about asking the ball boys to grab my Knicks starter jacket from the bus, but they already do so much work. Instead, I just put on my Eagles jacket that I had with me,” Towns revealed.
He stressed that his decision had nothing to do with disrespecting the Knicks or their fans. In fact, he hadn’t even realized it would become a headline.
“I didn’t know it was going to be a story. I should’ve known better — when you’re a Knick, you’re always being watched. But anywhere I go, I’m going to support my Eagles,” he added.
For Towns, the jacket was simply a nod to his favorite NFL team. For many Knicks fans, however, it looked like a slip in loyalty at a crucial moment. The incident highlights the intense scrutiny that comes with wearing the Knicks jersey — on and off the court.
