Following the Knicks’ commanding 111-94 victory over the Indiana Pacers in Game 5, Karl-Anthony Towns joined the Inside the NBA for a postgame interview. Already relaxed and comfortable, Towns appeared courtside wearing open-toe slides, exposing his feet. This caught Barkley’s attention immediately.

Without missing a beat, Barkley said: “You the only basketball player I know that got good looking feet!”

The remark was met with laughter from the panel and left Towns smiling ear-to-ear, clearly amused and pleased by the unusual praise. Shaquille O’Neal joined in with a joking song about Towns’ toes being out.

Towns fired back with a lighthearted jab, saying, “My toes are better than yours, Shaq,” drawing a laugh from O’Neal.

Towns’ impact on the court 

While the discussion stole the spotlight momentarily, Towns’ on-court performance was the real story. Despite being listed as questionable due to a sore left knee, Towns delivered a strong showing with 24 points and 13 rebounds, helping the Knicks dominate the paint 60-34 and extend their playoff series.

His ability to perform at a high level despite injury concerns earned praise from Barkley and the broadcast crew, who highlighted Towns’ clutch plays and leadership in a critical elimination game.

Barkley’s offbeat compliment quickly went viral on social media, with fans enjoying a glimpse of the analyst’s humorous side. The moment was celebrated as a light-hearted break from the intensity of playoff basketball and a reminder of the camaraderie shared among NBA greats and current stars.

Knicks vs. Pacers’ Game 6

As the Eastern Conference Finals shift to Indiana for Game 6, the stakes could not be higher. The New York Knicks, energized by their dominant 111-94 Game 5 victory at Madison Square Garden, will look to carry that momentum there.

Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns continue to lead the charge, with Brunson’s efficient scoring and Towns’ resilience despite a bruised knee proving critical to New York’s survival.

The Pacers, meanwhile, will be desperate to close out the series on home court, buoyed by the raucous support of their fans and the presence of Tyrese Haliburton’s father and other notable figures in the crowd.