Minnesota Timberwolves Center Karl-Anthony Towns was diagnosed with a torn meniscus on Wednesday that will sideline him indefinitely. Towns was named a 2024 NBA All-Star after averaging 22.1 points and 8.4 rebounds this season. Towns is also shooting a career-best 42.3% from deep this season.
A torn meniscus requires a six- to eight-week recovery if Towns does not go the surgical route. This timeline puts the availability of Towns in the NBA Playoffs in jeopardy. If Towns ultimately needs surgery, he will be out until next season.
Minnesota’s Upcoming Schedule Without Karl-Anthony Towns
Just in: Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns has been diagnosed with a torn meniscus in his left knee and is out indefinitely, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. pic.twitter.com/JlPe73PnN9
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 7, 2024
Minnesota (43-19) is tied atop the Western Conference standings with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Only the Boston Celtics (48-13) have a better record than Minnesota this regular season.
The Timberwolves begin a six-game road trip on Thursday that takes them to Indiana, Cleveland, Los Angeles, and Utah. Towns has been a crucial part of Minnesota’s great regular season, and some regression is expected as the team adapts to the absence of Towns. He is the team’s second-leading scorer behind Anthony Edwards.
Eleven-year NBA veteran, and current ESPN analyst, Austin Rivers did not mince words when analyzing what the Towns injury meant for the Minnesota Timberwolves this season.
This is huge…If it is a significant tear, then we are looking at an entire change in the landscape of the Western Conference. He is the Batman to Anthony Edwards Robin. He is vital to this team.
Rivers played 52 games with the Minnesota Timberwolves last season.
Karl-Antony Towns Or Not, Pressure Mounts On Minnesota For NBA Playoffs
The Towns injury, regardless of its length, certainly puts a dent in Minnesota’s championship aspirations. The Timberwolves finished 42-40 last season, which earned them the eighth seed and a spot in the NBA Play-In Tournament. Minnesota would go on to split the play-in games and face off against the eventual NBA champion Denver Nuggets in the first round. Denver would end up winning in five games. Minnesota coughed up a 15-point lead in game 5 and had their opportunities to extend the series.
This is not a great day in the “Twin Cities,” but Minnesota has one of the best records in the league, and if Towns can return for the NBA Playoffs, a deep playoff run could be on the horizon.
About The Author
Justin has always loved sports. He has previously written for Sports Illustrated and 247Sports.
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