Towns opens up about mother's death

Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns opened up about his mother's death in a video he posted to his YouTube channel on Monday.

Jacqueline Towns died in April due to complications from COVID-19. The All-Star big man spoke about taking his mother off life support and having to inform their family of the decision.

"I had to call her sisters. I had to call my dad's family. I think the worst call -the most difficult one - was calling her mom," Towns said. "It was calling my grandmother. So telling her, mostly, you lost your daughter. I've done everything as a grandson could do to protect her. I got to let her go. And it was very difficult because she's just screaming on the phone. ... There's nothing worse than losing your kid."

Towns' extended family was able to say their goodbyes virtually. He also talked about his final moments with his mother.

"We were talking to her. We were laughing," Towns said. "It's such a weird thing. My sister was bringing up stories. (Jacqueline's) laughing. ... She had took her last breath with laughter and there was no other way Jackie would have wanted it.

"She didn't want people to cry for her. She wanted people to laugh. So she was sent off with laughter. That just hurts. It hurts so bad every day. I'm just glad I had the time I did."

Towns' father, Karl Sr., also tested positive for the coronavirus but has recovered.

Towns has been vocal about the seriousness of COVID-19. He posted a video on Instagram when his mother was in a medically induced coma after being hospitalized with the virus and donated $100,000 to the Mayo Clinic to increase COVID-19 testing.