Playing in the NBA Finals is supposed to come with all kinds of nerves, but New York Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns looked incredibly relaxed out there for Game 1. It turns out he had a special source of comfort helping him stay grounded on the floor.

After helping the Knicks lock down a 105-95 win over the San Antonio Spurs on June 3, Towns opened up about what was going through his mind. He told the crew on ESPN’s Inside the NBA that instead of feeling the typical anxiety of the championship stage, he felt a deep sense of calm. He believes that peace came straight from his late mother, Jacqueline Cruz-Towns, who tragically passed away from COVID-19 back in April 2020 at the age of 58.

Towns put together a stellar night to help New York grab that 1-0 series lead, dropping 18 points and pulling down 12 rebounds. But for him, the night was about much more than just the box score.

He mentioned that the whole day felt a bit nostalgic, taking him back to when he was just a kid, getting excited for weekend AAU tournaments. Towns shared that he felt like he could actually see his mom sitting up in the stands, which turned what could have been a pressure-cooker situation into a genuinely fun experience. He added that having her spiritual presence there was exactly what he needed to just go out, play loose, and enjoy the moment.

The loss of his mother in 2020 was incredibly tough on Towns and his family, especially with her spending a month in the hospital fighting the virus. Towns has always spoken about how much of a spark plug she was, previously describing her as the ultimate matriarch and a beautiful source of strength for everyone around her.

Seeing him honor her memory while playing at the highest level shows just how deep that bond still runs. Now, Towns and the Knicks will look to build on their momentum as the series stays in San Antonio for Game 2 before heading back to New York.