Karl-Anthony Towns Nearing Return to Wolves Lineup

The Minnesota Timberwolves have played 48 games without Karl-Anthony Towns this season and fans/media have been asking more questions, of late. Previously, the team has been hesitant to let any information out on Towns’ injury or his return timeline.

But on Wednesday morning, the Wolves sent out a press release with the first significant update in months. KAT is “participating in basketball activities”, according to the release, and he’s expected to return “in the coming weeks”.

Minneapolis/St. Paul – The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the following injury update on forward/center Karl-Anthony Towns, who has been sidelined since Nov. 28 due to a right calf strain: 

Towns is continuing to progress in his rehabilitation program and has been participating in basketball activities. He is expected to return in the coming weeks and further updates to his playing status will be provided when available. 

In 21 games (all starts) this season, Towns is averaging 20.8 points on 50.5% shooting, 8.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game.

Timberwolves PR

Karl-Anthony Towns to return in how many weeks?

There are only 3.5 weeks (13 games) left in the 2022-23 Timberwolves’ season. So we can assume “weeks” is barley plural, in this instance. Clearly, they expect him back before the season is over.

Chris Finch is on record on KFAN last week confirming that, even should the Wolves miss the playoffs, his coaching staff and the front office wants/needs to see Karl-Anthony Towns in the lineup with Rudy Gobert and Anthony Edwards before the season is over.

Without more time to evaluate that core, it will be difficult for the front office to know how to best navigate the upcoming offseason. Currently, Minnesota is in 7th place in the Western Conference. The top 6 seeds make the playoffs. Seeds 7-10 have to go through the play-in tournament.

The West is so tight that, on their top side, the Wolves sit just two games back of 4th place. Below them, however, it’s just 2 games sit between them and 12th place. There isn’t a playoff or play-in spot for 12th place, just in case you were wondering.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan