NBA reactions on social media to the death of Karl-Anthony Towns' mother

Ex-teammates and other players jumped to support the Wolves star after learning the news.

By STAFF REPORTS

April 14, 2020 at 5:11AM
Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) and forward Robert Covington (33) walked back to the bench after a New Orleans time out in the first quarter Wednesday. ] Aaron Lavinsky ¥ aaron.lavinsky@startribune.com The Minnesota Timberwolves played the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minn.
Former Wolves forward Robert Covington, right, wrote his memories about the late mother of center Karl-Anthony Towns on Instagram. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The NBA community quickly expressed sympathy to Karl-Anthony Towns on Monday, after learning that the Timberwolves star's mother lost her lengthy battle with COVID-19.

Jacqueline Cruz-Towns was 59. On March 24, Towns posted a video online saying both her parents had contracted the disease that has caused a worldwide pandemic, and that his mother was on a ventilator and in a medically induced coma.

Messages of condolences came pouring in on social media:

Zach LaVine

His friendship with Towns predates Towns' arrival with the Wolves, but they only played 1½ seasons together here.

Tyus Jones

The Wolves' second first-round pick in 2015 after Towns, Jones left his hometown team last year to play for Memphis.

Robert Covington

The forward, traded from the Wolves to Houston in February, posted at great length about his memories of Cruz-Towns.

Jarrett Culver

The Wolves' 2019 first-round pick out of Texas Tech is averaging 9.2 points per game.

Jake Layman

One of the few Wolves besides Towns and Culver to have been on the roster all season, although he missed much of it because of injury.

Jarred Vanderbilt

The 21-year-old has only played in two games for the Wolves since being traded from Denver; like Towns, he is a Kentucky product.

Gorgui Dieng

The longtime Wolves big man from Senegal was dealt to Memphis in Februray.

Jamal Crawford

No longer on an NBA roster at age 40, Crawford spent 2017-18 with the Wolves.

Shabazz Muhammad

Played five seasons with the Wolves and now is playing in China.

Kevin Love

The Wolves' previous All-Star before Towns, Love was dealt to Cleveland less than a year before Towns' arrival.

Thad Young

One of the players acquired by the Wolves for Love, Young also did not play with Towns.

Stephen Curry

The two-time NBA MVP has missed most of this season because of an injury suffered in October.

Julius Randle

Kentucky's freshman standout in 2013-14, one year before Towns, he was the seventh pick in the 2014 draft.

John Wall

Another Kentucky product, the longtime Wizards star has missed the entire season because of an Achilles' injury.

Donovan Mitchell

The Jazz star has recovered after being one of the first professional athletes to test positive for COVID-19.

Chris Paul

The veteran point guard spending his 15th NBA season with the Thunder, his fourth NBA team.

John Calipari

Towns' college coach said he got a call from Towns and was devastated to learn the news.

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