OKC Thunder: NBA family rallies around Karl-Anthony Towns after mother’s passing

Karl-Anthony Towns mother Jacqueline Towns succumbs to COVID-19 as the OKC Thunder and Chris Paul were among the many who sent heartfelt condolences.

It’s a sad day for the NBA with everyone reeling from news Jacqueline (Jackie) Towns the mother of Karl-Anthony Towns passed after a long battle with the coronavirus. The OKC Thunder and Chris Paul were among the many in the NBA fraternity that reached out directly to KAT on social media.

Every death suffered from COVID-19 is hard to stomach but this death to Jacqueline in some ways puts a face on the disease for the players, teams, and fans.

Jackie was only 58 years old and if you ever saw her at games it was clear how vibrant and energetic she was. Just this season she was at the Timberwolves – 76ers game yelling and good-naturedly getting into it with Joel Embiid.

In fact, she attended almost every game her son played in. To say mother and son were close doesn’t pay their relationship justice as they had an incredible bond.

Karl-Anthony’s father, Karl Sr. also contracted the COVID-19 virus but was healthy enough to return home to recover under quarantine. At that point, Jackie was still in the hospital and put on a ventilator. KAT went on social media to discuss the situation and to warn people how serious the virus was, begging people to practice social distancing.

Even then, you could sense the heaviness of the situation of his mother being put into an induced coma and on the ventilator and how it was burdening him. Towns had already been on top of the coronavirus even before his parents got sick as he donated money directly to those in the medical community (specifically $100k to the Mayo Clinic) who were trying to create a vaccine.

The Minnesota Timberwolves released a statement on Twitter. Following the release of the statement, the NBA family immediately responded with their condolences.

As per Yahoo writer Rob Schaefer. LaVine and former coach Sam Mitchell spoke of Jackie Towns in an NBA’s Instagram Live interview:

"“When it hits home it becomes more real. I knew Jackie (Towns), we knew her well and she was such a joy to be around,” LaVine said. “I’m so saddened, you can’t even send as many condolences as you want to and prayers because it’s just terrible man.“I texted him, and the person Karl is, he texted me back. So that just speaks volumes to him. I just let him know I love him and anything he needs I’m here for him, but there’s not a ton I can say man, it’s just terrible.”"

The outpouring of love and sympathy was palpable as each message provided heartfelt condolences to Karl-Anthony and his family. Chris Paul’s message (above) was just one of many. Players, coaches, former players, teams and media reached out with their condolences. Here’s the ones I found in a search of Twitter:

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My heart goes out to Karl-Anthony. Having lost my parents and a sibling I know how difficult the road ahead is for him and the family and send my heartfelt wishes that he allows those who love him to help in his grieving process.

Let us all take this sad situation and recall Karl-Anthony’s own words where he pleaded for people to take this pandemic seriously. Let’s heed his words of caution and honor Jacqueline’s memory by staying home and practicing physical distancing.

From all of us at Thunderous Intentions, we send our condolences to Karl-Anthony and his family, you will be in our thoughts and prayers.