USATSI
The Minnesota Timberwolves are getting some appealing news ahead of the playoffs. All-Star forward Karl-Anthony Towns is anticipated to return in among the Wolves' last 3 routine season video games after missing out on more than a month with a knee injury that needed surgical treatment. Towns will be back on the court either Wednesday night versus Denver or over the weekend as Minnesota liquidates its routine season, per Shams Charania. This news follows he took part in his very first skirmish on Sunday.
Minnesota ends the season at home with video games versus the Hawks on Friday and Suns on Sunday. The Wolves have actually clinched a top-four seed in the West and will not play their very first championship game up until April 20 or 21.
This is substantial for the Timberwolves, who presently sit atop the Western Conference standings. Prior to the meniscus injury, Towns was experiencing among his finest seasons, balancing 22.1 points, 8.4 rebounds and 3.0 helps. His production on offense was a considerable reason that Minnesota was experiencing a lot success this season. The frontcourt with Towns and Rudy Gobert likewise lastly began to click after there were some clear growing discomforts last season.
After The Wolves' win versus the Lakers Sunday night, Anthony Edwards hinted that a Towns return would be on the horizon.
“KAT returning,” Edwards stated. “KAT will be back.”
There wasn't a considerable quantity of drop off for the Wolves in Towns' lack, as the group kept its winning methods without him, however that states more about their depth than the effect the flexible forward makes. Naz Reid, who is a competitor for Sixth Man of the Year, stepped up in a significant method, and balanced 18.2 points in 12 starts with Towns sidelined. Getting Towns back would permit Reid to return to his bench function, where he's excelled this season, and insert Towns back into the beginning lineup where the Wolves have actually scored 5.9 more points per 100 belongings when he's on the flooring.
With the Timberwolves likely near complete strength when the playoffs begin, they need to be thought about a harmful danger in the West.