Karl-Anthony Towns isn’t just putting up numbers on the hardwood. This week, he stood shoulder-to-shoulder with teammate OG Anunoby at Cantor Fitzgerald’s annual 9/11 Charity Day, an event born from unimaginable loss. The firm lost 658 employees in the World Trade Center attacks, a number that still cuts deep more than two decades later. Every handshake, every dollar raised on this day, carries the weight of lives cut short and families forever changed. And as moving as their presence was, Towns and Anunoby weren’t the only ones in the NBA honoring the day.

Photos of Towns and Anunoby from the event surfaced on X via New York Basketball, showing the two Knicks forwards on a mission far bigger than basketball. And it wasn’t just about appearances. For Towns, the cause carries a deeper layer. He’s seen loss up close, having lost his mother to COVID-19, and his presence at events of remembrance has always felt grounded in personal empathy. This time, it was about extending that empathy on a day that holds so much significance for New York City.

Even Kyle Kuzma, present at the event, got in on the moment in real life. The Bucks’ addition from the last season posted an Instagram story with the caption: “Landing the whale 🤝🏦📈 Pink slipping to a billion,” a Wall Street-coded nod to the fundraising spectacle of Charity Day. It was part celebration, part tribute, and a reminder that NBA players often bring their own flair into solemn occasions. For Towns, though, the larger picture has been about impact.

Beyond the Knicks’ playoff chase, he’s been expanding his footprint globally, recently partnering with Dominican Republic president Luis Abinader to open a massive $3 million sports facility in Tamboril, Santiago. It’s a project that aligns with his long-term vision of utilizing his platform to inspire the next generation. So when he’s standing at a charity desk on 9/11, the throughline is clear that this is what “bigger than basketball” looks like. The ripple effect, though, stretched across the league.

The Miami Heat posted a stark image, captioned: “Today and every day, we remember.” The Dallas Mavericks wrote, “We will always remember the lives lost and the acts of heroism on 9/11/2001. We will #NeverForget.” Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics honored the 24-year mark: “Today we remember and honor the lives lost 24 years ago #NeverForget.”

How the NBA joined Karl-Anthony Towns & co. in 9/11 tribute

Even the New York Knicks‘ official X account posted a bright visual of the Brooklyn Bridge with a bold graphic text “WE REMEMBER,” pairing it with the caption: “We remember, reflect and honor all those affected by the events on September 11th.” For fans scrolling through their feeds, the messages were more than traditional.

They carried weight, tying the NBA’s global reach back to a uniquely American tragedy. And while official tributes resonated, seeing players like Towns, Kuzma, and Anunoby physically present at the charity gave the remembrance an added human touch.

It also highlights something about Towns’ career that often gets overlooked. His stats, 24.4 points per game on 52.6% shooting last season, tell one story. But his off-court endeavors tell another. Whether he’s funding sports infrastructure or showing up for a grieving city, Towns has carved out a reputation as one of the NBA’s most socially grounded stars.

Pairing that with OG Anunoby, who has quietly built his own voice as a community figure, gave New York fans a snapshot of leadership that went beyond the court. The Knicks may be chasing banners, but this week, two of their core players were busy chasing impact.

Tributes like these remind the league why its stars matter in more ways than the box score. And in Towns’ case, it adds to a legacy that’s steadily growing in unexpected, meaningful directions.