2 min read • April 17, 2024
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Karl-Anthony Towns faced a significant setback this season with a torn left meniscus diagnosed on March 7, sidelining him for 18 games. Towns managed to return for the final two games of the regular season.
During these games, Towns was cautiously reintegrated into play, featuring for less than 30 minutes in each and accumulating a total of 21 points combined in both games—substantially lower than his typical scoring output. Additionally, his rebounding numbers also saw a decrease, averaging almost three rebounds below his season norm.
Despite these limitations, the focus for Towns and the Minnesota Timberwolves is more on his offensive capabilities, which are expected to rebound quicker than his defensive performance. This is particularly positive news as the Timberwolves gear up for their playoff matchup against the Phoenix Suns, a team that ranks within the top 10 in points per game. As the playoffs progress, it's anticipated that Towns' minutes on the court will gradually increase, along with his contributions in scoring.
Towns' offensive prowess will be vital going forward however the Timberwolves will need to lean heavily on their team defense—ranked number one in the NBA—to counteract their star center's current defensive vulnerabilities.
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