Minneapolis -
Covid-19 infections continue to wreak havoc within the NBA and this Friday the latest affected was American-Dominican center Karl-Anthony Towns, from the Minnesota Timberwolves, who confirmed through social media that he had tested positive.
Meanwhile, the President of Basketball Operations for the Timberwolves, Gersson Rosas, said during a press conference that the organization had had two positive tests, including Towns, in the last two days, and that another player was in the league's contact tracing protocols.
Spanish players, point guard Ricky Rubio and power forward Juancho Hernangomez, were included in Thursday's injury report for Covid-19 health and safety protocols.
Prior to Rosas' statements and Towns' confirmation of his positive test, the NBA had already canceled the game that the Timberwolves were scheduled to play tonight against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Two other games, Washington versus Detroit and Phoenix against Golden State, were also canceled due to Covid-19 health and safety protocols.
The diagnosis is especially difficult for Towns, whose mother, Jacqueline Cruz-Towns, died at the age of 59 on April 13 from Covid-19 complications. She had dealt with the virus for a month.
Towns said before the season that six other family members also died from complications of the virus.
"Before Friday's game, I received another terrible call and tested positive for COVID," Towns said in a statement shared on social media. "I will immediately isolate and follow every protocol. I pray every day that this nightmare of a virus will subside and beg everyone to continue to take it seriously and take all the necessary precautions...".
Towns, 25, also said he felt sorry and worried for his family because they are once again living through the nightmare of "uncertainty" and anxiety that the disease diagnosis has always left them, although he promised to fight to win the battle.
The Timberwolves franchise player missed six games this season due to a right wrist injury, but returned to competition last week and has averages of 22 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in four games.
Rosas, when assessing Towns' diagnosis, described it as "heartbreaking" and added that "it's a lesson for all of us. Basketball is a microcosm of society right now and you can do the right things; our protocol has been solid. Our staff has done an incredible job of making sure the protocols were strictly followed, but this virus is powerful and creative."
The Timberwolves executive reiterated that Towns was an important part of the organization and, like all other players, had full support along with his family. (D)