Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns expected to return from calf injury after missing 51 games
Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl Anthony-Towns is expected to return Wednesday night against the Atlanta Hawks. Towns has missed 51 games due to a calf injury he sustained on Nov. 28 against the Washington Wizards.
The three-time All-Star has elevated his on-court activity in recent weeks. On Tuesday, he was upgraded to questionable on the official injury report. According to ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski, Towns plans to play as the Timberwolves chase a postseason berth.
Minnesota holds the eighth spot in the Western Conference. The team has stayed afloat behind the emergence of NBA All-Star Anthony Edwards. The third-year veteran has helped guide the Timberwolves to a 36-37 record.
The Timberwolves sit one game behind the Golden State Warriors for the coveted sixth playoff spot with nine games remaining.
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The KAT effect
Towns has appeared in 21 games this season. He is averaging 20.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists with a 50.5 field-goal percentage. He brings an influx of offense to complement Edwards and defensive stalwart Rudy Gobert.
However, Towns will return to a different team than earlier in the season. The Timberwolves have a new point guard in Mike Conley after shipping D’Angelo Russell to the Los Angeles Lakers at the trade deadline.
Conley is a pure floor general. He will maximize Towns in halfcourt sets and facilitate more designed looks in the pick-and-roll game. There is still a question of whether Towns can play alongside Gobert in the offense.
Prior to Towns injury, the Timberwolves struggled defensively with both players on the floor. Minnesota was 10-11 when Towns left with a calf strain. In those games, the opposing teams scored 120 or more points seven times.
Playoffs or bust?
Towns will return at a good time. The Timberwolves have lost five of their last seven games against teams in playoff contention. This includes a double overtime loss to the Chicago Bulls on March 17.
Minnesota will finish the 2022-23 season with crucial games against the Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns and Lakers down the stretch. These matchups are crucial for Minnesota to make the playoffs for the second time in five seasons.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Timberwolves' Karl-Anthony Towns to return from calf injury vs. Hawks
