The Minnesota Timberwolves received the best possible news as they battle for the Western Conference’s top seed down the stretch. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Karl-Anthony Towns, sometime this week.
"Great news for Karl-Anthony Towns, he participated in his first team scrimmage on Sunday…There is optimism that Karl-Anthony Towns will play before the playoffs start."@ShamsCharania updates on KAT's potential return #Timberwolves 👏
📺: https://t.co/oxMs3CAEGu pic.twitter.com/MutwybwQKn
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) April 8, 2024
Towns took part in a team scrimmage on Sunday, marking his first action since knee surgery on March 12. The 28-year-old big man has been out since suffering a lateral meniscus tear in his left knee on March 4.
Minnesota Timberwolves Receives Best News Possible With Return Of KAT
“KAT will be back,” Wolves teammate Anthony Edwards told reporters after Minnesota defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 127-117 in Sunday’s game in Los Angeles. The victory over the Lakers was the Timberwolves 11th in their past 16 games.
Naz Reid continued his recent play against the Lakers, putting up 31 points, on 12 of 16 shooting, and 6 of 8 from the 3-point line, and 11 rebounds. It was his second 30-point game and sixth double-double of the season. Both of Reid’s 30-point games and four of his double-doubles have come over this 16-game stretch.
Since Towns went out, Reid has upped his production to 18.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.3 assists while shooting 48% from the field. More importantly, Reid has stepped up his perimeter shooting—knocking down 3.2 treys a game at 44%—and his defense, particularly at the rim.
Reid is not the only T-Wolf to step up. Mike Conley, Jaden McDaniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Kyle Anderson have also played exceptionally well during this stretch.
Where The Timberwolves Stand Heading Inti Final Week
Minnesota sits in a first-place tie with the Denver Nuggets atop the Western Conference 54-24. Oklahoma City is only one game back of the leaders at 53-25.
The Timberwolves are enjoying their best season since 2003-04, the greatest season in the Wolves’ history. That year, the Timberwolves finished with the best record in the West with 58 wins and reached the conference finals. The Wolves can match their regular-season record by sweeping their remaining games, but it will be tough.
Minnesota hosts Washington on Tuesday and then flies to Denver for a vital clash with the Nuggets on Wednesday. Denver will also be playing the back end of a back-to-back as the Nuggets travel to Utah tomorrow.
Minnesota leads the season series 2-1 over Denver. The road team has won two of the first three games. The biggest difference is that the Timberwolves have won both games by double-digits. Meanwhile, the Nuggets won their game by three points.
“The West’s top seed could be decided Wednesday night in Denver,” said ESPN’s Tim McMahon when discussing the game to watch this week. ” These teams will both be on back-to-backs after playing lottery-bound teams the previous nights. Minnesota would claim the tiebreaker with a victory.”
Following Wednesday’s clash, Minnesota returns home to close out the season. Minnesota concludes the regular season versus Atlanta on Friday and Phoenix on Sunday.
Minnesota owns the second-best home record in the West and the second-best road record in the league. The Timberwolves also have the Association’s second-best record (29-18) against teams with a .500-plus record.
Why KAT’s Return Is Vital For T-Wolves
Granted, the Timberwolves have played well without Towns this year, going 13-5 overall. The numbers are pretty similar with and without Towns.
However, the playoffs are a different animal, as ESPN’s Andrew Lopez pointed out in an earlier article.
“The Timberwolves, but has more to do with the health of Karl-Anthony Towns than anything else, Lopez said when talking about which top seed should be concerned about their opening round matchup.”Minnesota is still 11-5 since Towns went out with his meniscus tear, but the playoffs are different. With the Warriors and Lakers still in play as possible matchups in the first round, that will be a big test for Anthony Edwards and the Wolves.”
The biggest difference during the regular season between the T-Wolves with and without Towns has been offensive rebounding and getting to the free-throw line.
Those stats will be key in the future, especially in the playoffs. Conversely, the Timberwolves protect the ball better without Towns.
While Towns can dominate both ends of the floor, his presence allows the other Timberwolves to play their role.
As good as Reid has been lately, Minnesota is +3.7 points better when Towns is playing with the first unit compared to when Reid is.
Reid will be able to come off the bench once again, thus allowing coach Chris Finch to limit the amount of time McDaniels and Anderson spend together on the floor. It will also allow Finch to get the matchup he wants at small forward by rotating McDaniels, Alexander-Walker, and Anderson.
McDaniels and Anderson have played well, but the pair have been a disaster when they have been on the floor together this season. Anderson was a weak link in Minnesota’s first-round loss to Denver last season.
Perhaps Edwards will benefit the most when Towns returns. It will take some of the burden of Edwards having to carry the Timberwolves solo, which in turn may allow Edwards to relax and play loose.
