LOS ANGELES — Karl-Anthony Towns thanked the Knicks for their support after he missed Tuesday’s game to deal with the death of a family friend, Sarah Holtzman.
“This is one of those moments where I had to be there for my family and be there for the kids that lost somebody really special to them,” Towns said after rejoining the Knicks in L.A., where he was scheduled to return Thursday against the Lakers.
According to an online obituary, Holtzman died after a battle with breast cancer.
She was close with Towns’ longtime girlfriend, Jordyn Woods, who posted on social media, “f–k cancer.”
Towns has dealt with layers of tragedy over the last few years after his mother, Jaqueline Cruz, and other family members died from COVID-19 complications.
“I want to say that all the losses I’ve had have taught me how to appreciate life and find joy in the work,” Towns said. “Not many people have a chance to have this job and be able to play basketball for a living.
“And the problems that have arisen in my life and stuff, I know that if people were in my shoes they’d be extremely joyful to have the problems that I have. So just stay focused and it’s made me a better man. And, with my mom, I had utilized that experience when it came to this one because losing a mom is tough.”
Towns was excused officially on Tuesday for “personal reasons.”
Without him, the Knicks fell to the Warriors at MSG, 114-102.
“I don’t really want to talk about (the situation). But I do appreciate the organization. My teammates giving me so much grace, and support through the time when I really needed it,” he said. “So I really appreciate that a lot to allow me to go through what I got to go through.”
