Karl-Anthony Towns takes a jab at Kenny Atkinson's analytics comment from the Playoffs

During the 2026 Playoffs, the Cleveland Cavaliers struggled through their first two series. However, they made it work, and they reached the Eastern Conference Finals after getting dumped out the previous season in the second round.

Unfortunately, the Cavaliers did not win a single game in the ECF against the New York Knicks. Amid the defeats, Atkinson made a comment about how they were ahead based on the analytics despite losing the games, which went viral for the wrong reasons.

Karl-Anthony makes funny jab at Kenny Atkinson's analytics comments

The Knicks completely dominated the Cavaliers in the Conference Finals, as they showed that they were ready to win the championship. They did end up winning the title with Karl-Anthony Towns playing a massive role.

During that run, the Knicks kept quiet, as they wanted to focus on their goals. However, it seems they are taking their victory lap all summer because Towns made sure to reference the Atkinson analytics comments.

MORE: Kenny Atkinson's analytics argument during the Eastern Conference Finals vs the Knicks

Towns and the Knicks conducted themselves well, but they made sure to keep receipts. Atkinson's comments were among those, as Towns referenced them in a recent interview at the ESPY Awards.

"This city hasn't seen this in 53 years, hasn't seen the Finals in 27 years. A team that wasn't picked to be favorites, underdog in every series we played... 49 days we didn't lose, that's my pitch for Best Team. You can pick up all the analytics and statistics, analytically, we should win this one," Towns said as he was asked about his argument to be seen as the best team in sports this year.

Towns is having fun reveling in the victory he and the Knicks earned. He is not the first one to make this reference, either, as Josh Hart also made analytics jokes. It is all in good fun, but it is a reminder that these players do keep receipts all the time.

More NBA news:

• Maleek Thomas might be one of the biggest steals of the 2026 NBA Draft
• James Harden could have an impact on the Cavaliers' pursuit of LeBron James
• The Cavaliers are ready to welcome back both LeBron James and Bronny James
• Stephen A. Smith calls out Kenny Atkinson for the Cavs' performance against the Knicks
• Kenny Atkinson speaks about how the Cavaliers got carried by Donovan Mitchell