Timberwolves' Thaddeus Young takes leave of absence after mother's death
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Thaddeus Young is taking an indefinite leave of absence following the death of his mother, Lula Hall, the team announced on Friday.
Timberwolves coach Flip Saunders said Hall was dealing with complications from breast cancer, The New Orleans Times Picayune's John Reid reports.
''Fortunately for him, he was able to get home and have a chance to talk to his mother before she passed away,'' Saunders said after Friday's shootaround at the Smoothie King Center. ''Our sentiments go out to him and his family. He's part of our family. She was part of our family. It's a sad day for everybody.''
The Timberwolves released the following statement on Friday:
"The Timberwolves organization is deeply saddened to learn of the passing yesterday of Lula Hall, Thaddeus Young’s mother. The Timberwolves send our condolences to the Young and Hall families in this difficult time. Thad will be away from the team with his family for an indefinite period of time, including tonight’s game at New Orleans and Saturday night’s game at Dallas."
Young, 26, is in his first season with the Timberwolves after being traded by the Philadelphia 76ers as part of the trade that sent Kevin Love to the Cleveland Cavaliers. In seven games this season, he has averaged 14.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.6 steals. He scored a career-best 17.9 points per game last season for the 76ers.
The Timberwolves have opened the season 2-5.
- Paul Palladino
