Timberwolves' Karl-Anthony Towns: Double-double in final game
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Towns fouled out of Tuesday's 112-109 loss to the Nuggets in Game 5 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals after recording 26 points (9-17 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 7-9 FT), 11 rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal across 38 minutes.
Although Towns posted four double-doubles out of five games in the quarterfinals, he didn't shoot especially well. He averaged 45.7 percent in the series against the Nuggets, and barely hit the double-double milestone in two of those contests. The 28-year-old's eighth NBA season can be chalked up as a disappointment, as injuries limited him to only 29 games.
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Timberwolves' Karl-Anthony Towns: Records double-double in OT win
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Towns fouled out of Sunday's 114-108 overtime win over the Nuggets in Game 4 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals after recording 17 points (5-9 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 7-10 FT), 11 rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal over 36 minutes.
Although Towns fouled out, he managed to put together his third double-double of the opening-round series. Towns' strong shooting performance helped boost his field-goal percentage in the quarterfinals to 43.4 percent after lackluster results in the first two games. He's averaged 16.3 points and 10.0 rebounds over the first four playoff matchups against Denver.
Towns racked up 27 points (10-17 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 5-5 FT), seven rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal in 42 minutes during Friday's 120-111 loss to the Nuggets in Game 3 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.
Towns was at least able to put up some sort of a fight, although it ultimately amounted to nothing as the Timberwolves fell behind 3-1. After copping a lot of criticism following poor performances in the first two games, he looked far more aggressive Friday. While Game 4 will also be in Minnesota, the Timberwolves have a massive mountain to climb should they hope to force a Game 5.
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Timberwolves' Karl-Anthony Towns: Struggles from field in loss
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Towns finished with 10 points (3-12 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 12 rebounds, two assists and one block in 34 minutes during Wednesday's 122-113 loss to the Nuggets in Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.
Towns had a rough shooting performance in a game where the Timberwolves needed him, and it seems he's struggling to contend with the defensive duo of Aaron Gordon and Nikola Jokic. Towns scored 20-plus points in his final three outings in the regular season and the two Play-In appearances, but he's again struggling in the playoffs. Needless to say, the Timberwolves need -- and expect -- more from Towns if they are going to avoid getting swept in the first round.
Towns provided 11 points (5-15 FG, 1-7 3Pt, 0-2 FT), 10 rebounds and two assists over 30 minutes during Sunday's 109-80 loss to the Nuggets in Game 1 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.
Towns put together a disappointing performance in what has been an ongoing playoff struggle thus far in his career. While he was able to step things up during the Play-In Tournament, he likely needs to elevate his game to another level should the Timberwolves hope to extend the series beyond four games.
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Timberwolves' Karl-Anthony Towns: Shines in Play-In win
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Towns totaled 28 points (11-16 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 5-5 FT), 11 rebounds, three assists and three blocks across 29 minutes during Friday's 120-95 Play-In Game win over the Thunder.
Towns was excellent with 24 points, 11 boards, five assists and three blocks against the Lakers in Minnesota's first Play-In Game on Tuesday, but he appeared to run out of gas in the second half and overtime. The big man came up big again for the Timberwolves on Friday, and he was just as good after halftime (13 points, six boards) as he was in the first two quarters (15 points, five rebounds). Towns showed the ability to carry Minnesota's offense and impose his presence on the boards in the Play-In Tournament, and he'll face another challenge in the first round of the playoffs against Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets.
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Timberwolves' Karl-Anthony Towns: Gets green light
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Towns (calf) is good to go for Friday's Play-In Game against the Thunder.
Questionable tags have been par for the course for Towns, so it's not surprising to see him suit up in an effort to keep Minnesota's season alive. The Thunder do not have much frontcourt depth, so Minnesota should be looking for Towns and Rudy Gobert to dominate inside the paint.
Towns is officially questionable with a right calf strain for Friday's Play-In Game against the Thunder.
Towns has been dealing with a lingering calf issue that stems from an injury that held him out for nearly four months of the regular season. However, he managed to suit up for each of Minnesota's last six regular-season games and logged 30-plus minutes four times in that span before playing 41 minutes in the team's first Play-In Game against the Lakers. Considering Rudy Gobert (back) is also questionable for the tilt, Towns could be tasked with starting center duties if Gobert sits, a role in which he corralled 24 points, 11 rebounds and five assists against the Lakers.
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Timberwolves' Karl-Anthony Towns: Available to play Tuesday
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Towns (calf) is available to play Tuesday against the Lakers.
Minnesota has often listed Towns as questionable, so it's no surprise to see him get the green light Tuesday. With Rudy Gobert out due to a suspension, Towns will have his hands full with Anthony Davis.
Towns (calf) is questionable for Tuesday's game against the Lakers.
It would be shocking to see KAT miss Tuesday's play-in game, and it's worth noting that Minnesota listed Towns as questionable for the final six games of the season, but he didn't miss a game. Check back for official word on his status closer to Tuesday's tip.
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Timberwolves' Karl-Anthony Towns: Leads offensively in 30-point game
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Towns totaled 30 points (10-19 FG, 5-8 3Pt, 5-6 FT), eight rebounds, two assists and one block in 36 minutes during Sunday's 113-108 win over New Orleans.
Towns posted a team-high scoring total while connecting on a team-best mark from three en route to finishing two boards shy of a double-double in Sunday's win. Towns has posted at least 30 points and five rebounds twice this season.
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Timberwolves' Karl-Anthony Towns: Cleared for regular-season finale
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Towns (calf) is available for Sunday's matchup against the Pelicans.
Despite being listed as questionable for both contests, Towns is going to suit up for back-to-back games to end the regular season. On Saturday, the talented big man posted 22 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in 28 minutes.
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Timberwolves' Karl-Anthony Towns: Iffy for Sunday
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Towns is questionable for Sunday's matchup against the Pelicans with a right calf strain.
Towns posted 22 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and two blocks in 28 minutes during Saturday's win over the Spurs, so his potential absence would likely be precautionary. Rudy Gobert (back) is also questionable, so if both big men are sidelined, Nathan Knight, Luka Garza, Kyle Anderson and Taurean Prince would all be candidates for increased roles.
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Timberwolves' Karl-Anthony Towns: Flirts with triple-double
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Towns finished Saturday's 151-131 victory over the Spurs with 22 points (10-19 FG, 2-6 3Pt), eight rebounds, eight assists and two blocks in 28 minutes.
Towns came within a whisker of his first triple-double of the season, taking advantage of a favorable matchup against the Spurs. Unlike many of the other teams in action, the Timberwolves opted to play all of their stars despite the postseason being only days away. Towns has slowly been working his way back from a calf injury that cost him the majority of the season. With that in mind, the coaching staff may want him to get in some extra reps ahead of the Play-In Tournament.
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Timberwolves' Karl-Anthony Towns: Good to go
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Towns (calf) is active and starting in Saturday's game against the Spurs, Tom Osborn of the San Antonio Express-News reports.
While Towns was listed as questionable, both he and coach Chris Finch expressed optimism regarding his status, so this is the expected outcome. Barring any setbacks, look for the big man to take on his usual workload.
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Timberwolves' Karl-Anthony Towns: Officially questionable for Saturday
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Towns is officially considered questionable for Saturday's game versus the Spurs.
While the injury report says questionable, it's worth noting that both Towns and head coach Chris Finch expressed earlier in the day that the big man intends to play in both ends of the Timberwolves' back-to-back set. Barring a change in plan, look for Towns to play his usual role in the starting lineup. In the six games since his return, Towns has averaged 19.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists, and he's coming off his first double-double of the season Tuesday versus the Nets.
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Timberwolves' Karl-Anthony Towns: Plans to play Saturday and Sunday
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Head coach Chris Finch and Towns both said Friday that the plan is for the talented big man to suit up for both halves of Minnesota's upcoming Saturday-Sunday back-to-back set versus the Spurs and Pelicans, respectively, Chris Hine of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Towns rested the second half of the only back-to-back set the Timberwolves have had since he returned to action in late March following a lengthy absence due to a calf strain, but it appears he'll give it a go with Minnesota fighting for playoff positioning. "We gotta get these two, so I'm gonna be a go," Towns said Friday. Over his past four appearances (all starts), Towns has averaged 19.5 points, 9.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 31.5 minutes per game.
Towns closed with 22 points (8-15 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 5-6 FT), 14 rebounds and five assists across 31 minutes during Tuesday's 107-102 win over the Nets.
Towns got back on track in the win, bouncing back after attempting just three shots in their previous loss to the Trail Blazers. While he was unable to contribute on the defensive end, managers have to be thrilled with his production, especially on the glass where he tallied a season-high 14 rebounds. He has played at least 30 minutes in four of his past five games, an indication that he is well and truly over his calf injury that cost him the majority of the season.
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Timberwolves' Karl-Anthony Towns: Available Tuesday
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Towns (calf) will play in Tuesday's game against the Nets.
Towns will play after being tabbed questionable with a strained right calf and will start Tuesday's contest. In his last five games, Towns has averaged 18.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists over 30.6 minutes.
Towns (calf/illness) is questionable for Tuesday's game against the Nets.
Towns has been dealing with a right calf strain recently, and he's also come down with an illness ahead of recent matchups. However, he's suited up in five of the last six games, and it's certainly possible he's available once again Tuesday. Over his last five outings, he's averaged 18.4 points and 6.8 rebounds in 30.6 minutes per game.
