Playing in his first game following the death of his mother in April, Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns reflected on his team's season-opening 111-101 win over the Detroit Pistons.
"It meant a lot. Selfishly for me, it meant a lot," an emotional Towns said shortly after the victory while holding the game ball. "It was heavy ... I'm just happy I got this for her. I told her I wanted to get her this win and get her this ball, so I'm just happy that I was able to get it done."
Towns' mother died on April 13 due to COVID-19. The All-Star big man - who revealed earlier December he's lost seven family members in total to the disease - says he's changed permanently as a result of his heartbreak.
"That Karl died on April 13. He ain't coming back," the 25-year-old said postgame, according to The Athletic's Jon Krawczynski. "You're talking to the physical me ... That man you're talking about from April 13 or before, I don't know him. He ain't there."
The Kentucky product finished the contest with 22 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists.
