SUMMARY
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Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns announced Friday, January 15 (Saturday, January 16, Philippine time) that he has tested positive for COVID-19.
His announcement came shortly after the NBA announced Friday’s game between the Timberwolves and the visiting Memphis Grizzlies was postponed due to the league’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols. The NBA said Minnesota didn’t have the mandatory 8 players available due to contact tracing within the team.
Towns was distressed over his positive test because his mother, 59-year-old Jacqueline Cruz-Towns, died of complications from COVID-19 on April 13.
“Prior to tonight’s game, I received yet another awful call that I tested positive for COVID,” Towns said in his announcement placed on Twitter. “I will immediately isolate and follow every protocol. I pray every day that this nightmare of a virus will subside and I beg everyone to continue to take it seriously by taking all the necessary precautions.
“… It breaks my heart that my family, and particularly my father and sister continue to suffer from the anxiety that comes along with this diagnosis as we know all too well what the end result could be. To my niece and nephew … I promise you I will not end up in a box next to grandma and I will beat this.”
Towns has been open and honest about his family’s experiences with COVID-19. He said in December that 7 family members have died due to the virus.
“I only know what happened from April 13 on,” Towns said at the time. “Because you may see me smiling and stuff, but that Karl died on April 13. He’s never coming back.”
Minnesota hasn’t divulged who all was unavailable to play Friday but the team’s injury report listed point guard Ricky Rubio and forward Juancho Hernangomez as out due to health and safety protocols.
Towns, 25, has played in just 4 games this season after suffering a wrist injury earlier this season. He is averaging 22 points, 12.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists.
Friday’s game was to be a rematch of Wednesday’s game in which Memphis beat Minnesota, 118-107.
The Timberwolves-Grizzlies game was the third scheduled for Friday to be postponed and the 13th postponement league-wide this season.
The Grizzlies’ next scheduled game is Saturday at home against the Philadelphia 76ers. The Timberwolves are slated to next take on the Atlanta Hawks on the road on Monday.
– Rappler.com
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