Karl-Anthony Towns Says He Was Hit by Drunk Driver, Hospitalized in Offseason

Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns divulged Thursday that he was hit by a drunk driver in Los Angeles during the offseason.

As part of a Q&A session on social media (h/t TMZ Sports), Towns thanked his girlfriend, Jordyn Woods, for being there for him through so many tough times, writing: "My woman has held me down more than the world knows. ... From my mother and family members dying (1 on her bday in Cabo), getting hit by a drunk driver (was 2pm in the afternoon FYI) in LA this off-season and staying with me in the hospital for the night and helping me in rehab."

Towns was able to avoid serious injury and recover in time for the start of the 2020-21 season, but he has missed Minnesota's past six games after testing positive for COVID-19.

The past year has been incredibly trying for Towns primarily because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has impacted him and his family significantly.

The Timberwolves announced in April that Towns' mother, Jacqueline Cruz-Towns, died because of COVID-19 complications.

In December, Towns told reporters that his uncle died as well. He went on to add:

"I've seen a lot of coffins in the last seven months, eight months. But I have a lot of people who have—in my family and my mom's family—who have gotten COVID. I'm the one looking for answers still, trying to find how to keep them healthy. It's just a lot of responsibility on me to keep my family well-informed and to make all the moves necessary to keep them alive."

Now, Towns is trying to work his way back from a COVID-19 diagnosis during what has been a difficult season, as he has missed all but four games due to COVID and injuries.

The 25-year-old Towns is unquestionably one of the best bigs in basketball when healthy, as evidenced by his two All-Star nods and career averages of 22.7 points, 11.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.5 blocks per game over six seasons.

Minnesota has struggled mightily without him, posting a Western Conference-worst record of 4-13, but he will provide a massive boost to the T-Wolves when he does eventually make his return.