Having a game on Mother's Day hit Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns hard.
He broke down in tears before Minnesota's contest Sunday in Orlando. His father, Karl Sr., consoled him from the stands. The younger Towns was playing 13 months after his mother, Jacqueline Cruz-Towns, died of complications from COVID-19.
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KAT found his focus before the ball went up. He finished with 27 points and nine rebounds in 29 minutes as Minnesota rolled to a 128-96 win.
"I've been emotional all day and I even told my dad it's going to be very difficult to come out here, [if] even possible," Towns, his voice breaking at one point, told Bally Sports North after the game.
Towns has been open about his feelings of loss. He said in April 2020 it would be "hard" for him to play without his mom in the stands supporting him. Time has not healed the wound.
"My family, my memories, this team, they give me the strength to go out here and play the game even through everything," he said. "I'm appreciative [of] the guys; they support me every step of the way."
Towns closed his interview with a message for all moms.
"It's difficult, but, to all the mothers out there that hold the house down, to all the mothers who are not here anymore that have held the house down and gave their kids the morals and values needed to be great, today is for you.
"Happy Mother's Day from me and my family. There's no bigger job in the world than mother, so this one's for you."
