In a lighthearted and funny moment, Jordyn Woods caught her boyfriend, NBA star Karl-Anthony Towns, sneaking in some basketball during their date night at a Billie Eilish concert at Madison Square Garden. The couple, who have been dating since 2020, enjoyed a night out in New York City on Wednesday, Oct. 16, for Eilish’s “Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour,” but Towns couldn’t completely detach from his love for the game.
Towns, 28, recently acquired by the New York Knicks in a major trade, was spotted watching an NBA preseason game while Eilish performed on stage. Woods, 27, shared a playful video on her Instagram Story, showing Towns intently focused on his phone as the Minnesota Timberwolves—his former team—played the Chicago Bulls. The Timberwolves, who drafted Towns first overall in 2015, narrowly lost to the Bulls, 123-125.
Despite being at a live concert, Towns couldn’t help but keep an eye on his old squad, and his expression during Eilish’s performance of “Bury a Friend” gave away his concern for the Timberwolves. Woods poked fun at the situation, captioning her Story, “I promise he was enjoying the concert,” showing that even while on date night, Towns’ basketball passion is never far behind.
The funny moment went viral, with Bleacher Report sharing the clip across social media, drawing laughs from fans of both basketball and pop culture. While Towns may have been glued to his phone, the couple’s night out still showed their playful dynamic, with Woods embracing the humor of the situation.
This amusing incident comes shortly after Towns made headlines with his high-profile trade to the New York Knicks in a blockbuster three-team deal earlier this month, as first reported by ESPN insider Shams Charania. The trade marked the end of Towns’ long tenure with the Timberwolves, where he spent nine seasons.
After the trade, Towns penned a heartfelt message to Timberwolves fans and the Minnesota community. In an open letter posted on social media, Towns expressed his deep gratitude for the city and the organization that had become his home.
“Nine years ago, I arrived in Minnesota as a young man with a dream. Little did I know that this place would become my home, and its people would become my family,” Towns wrote. “Your love, support, and unwavering loyalty have fueled my journey and inspired me to be the best player I could be.”
He went on to thank his teammates, coaches, and the Timberwolves organization for the opportunities and experiences they shared. “I’ll cherish the friendships I’ve made and the battles we’ve fought together,” he continued.
In his tribute, Towns gave a special shout-out to the fans who supported him throughout his time in Minnesota. “To the incredible fans, your support has meant the world to me. It gave me strength on and off the court. I’ll never forget it,” Towns wrote. He concluded his message with, “You’ll always hold a special place in my heart. Thank you for everything.”
Though he’s moved on to the bright lights of New York, Towns’ connection to Minnesota remains strong, as evidenced by his split attention during the concert.
With the Knicks looking to make waves in the Eastern Conference, it’s clear Towns is already locked in on his next chapter—though he might still keep an eye on the Timberwolves from time to time.