Dominican national basketball team member, Karl-Anthony Towns (KAT), currently playing for the New York Knicks, has put up historic numbers during the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks.
The playoffs are currently in the first round with the Knicks-Hawks series tied at 2-2. In the 114-98 game on 25 April 2026, Towns became only the fourth player in New York Knicks history to record a playoff triple-double.
Series statistics & impact
Through the first four games against Atlanta, Towns has been the Knicks’ most consistent offensive threat:
• Averages: 21.0 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game.
• Efficiency: He is shooting an impressive 61% from two-point range and 50% from beyond the arc.
• Highlights: He also had a standout 25-point performance in the Knicks’ Game 1 victory.
What’s next?
The series returns to New York on Tuesday, 28 April 2026, for Game 5 at Madison Square Garden starting 8pm. With the series leveled, the Knicks are looking to Towns to maintain this versatile play to take the lead before heading back to Atlanta for Game 6 on Thursday.
Karl-Anthony Towns (KAT) maintains a deep personal and professional relationship with the Dominican Republic, rooted in his heritage and a commitment to honoring his late mother, Jacqueline Cruz, who was born in the country.
Although Towns was born in Edison, New Jersey, he identifies as Dominican-American and has become one of the most prominent global ambassadors for Dominican basketball.
National team representation
Towns began representing the Dominican Republic on the international stage long before his NBA career. He got an early start when he was recruited to the Dominican national team at just 16 years old by then-coach John Calipari, who was also the coach of the University of Kentucky Wildcats, the team with which Towns played before turning professional.
Towns competed for the Dominican Republic abroad, including the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, where he led the team to a historic victory over Italy.
Towns has expressed a strong desire to represent the Dominican Republic in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. He could previously compete for the Dominican Republic in the 3 July World Cup qualifier event against the United States that will be played in Santo Domingo.
Philanthropy and community investment
Towns has leveraged his NBA success to invest directly in the country’s infrastructure and youth. He is helping fund a youth basketball facility in Tamboril, Santiago.
The “New York-Dominican” connection
Following his trade to the New York Knicks, Towns’ relationship with the Dominican community has taken on a local dimension. New York City is home to roughly 1.2 million Dominicans (CUNY stats), and Towns has frequently spoken about the pride he feels in representing both the team and the large Dominican diaspora in the city.
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El Dia
28 April 2026