Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns has missed 21 games so far this season with a right calf strain, and the three-time All-Star believes the injury has allowed him more time to reflect on his performance.
“You know, I’m feeling good. I’m definitely getting better every day,” Towns said. “It’s just the process. It’s a long process. It was definitely a significant damage. It was my first experience. It sure beats a broken wrist and a broken wrist…”
According to a handful of NBA betting sites, Karl-Anthony City and the Timberwolves have the 10th-lowest odds to win the championship. Sportsbooks are giving the Portland Trail Blazers and Sacramento Kings the best odds to qualify for the playoffs.
Ours.@thethermegryan Karl-Anthony Towns was at the scene on the coat drive and Towns spoke briefly about his recovery from a right calf injury. No timetable has been mentioned yet. pic.twitter.com/V3VOtOBT7E
— Chris Hine (@ChristopherHine) January 12, 2023
“This is a different challenge,” said Karl-Anthony Towns. “I think if anyone follows my life, my life is always full of challenges, and I always come out the other side victorious. So, I expect nothing less. I can’t go back to playing for the Walleyes doing what I do best at another level.
“The great thing about being injured is it gives you a lot of time to think, and as a coach I’ve been able to sit back and look at our team and see what I’m capable of. Do better than I did before I got hurt.
Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns has spent time reflecting on the shortcomings of his recovery from a calf injury.
In 21 starts this season, Towns is averaging 20.8 points, a career-low 8.2 rebounds and a game-high 5.3 assists. He also shot 50.5% from the field and a career-best 88.5% from the foul line.
On November 16, in the Timberwolves’ 126-108 win over the Orlando Magic, the center scored a career-high 30 points in 37 minutes of action. He finished 10 of 15 (66.7%) shooting from the floor and knocked down two 3-pointers.
And Karl-Anthony Towns isn’t the only underperforming player in Minnesota. Rudy Gobert is averaging 14.1 points and 12 boards per game, but the three-time Defensive Player of the Year is still not playing well on the defensive end.
Michael Grady’s best and best analysis of the Karl-Anthony Towns + Rudy Gobert interaction on the bench after Rudy’s missed layup. pic.twitter.com/6BGx1ZkYxl
— Timberwolves Clips (@WolvesClips) January 7, 2023
Gobert ranks 15th in blocks (48), 11th in blocks per game (1.3), 20th in defensive rating (109.6), and seventh in offensive rating (129.2). The 10-year veteran is arguably the second-best rebounder in the NBA. However, the Timberwolves center lost a step on defense.
This past offseason, Minnesota traded away five future first-round draft picks and key role players to acquire Gobert. Halfway through the 2022-23 season, the former Utah Jazz star is disappointing Wolves fans. Maybe Karl-Anthony Towns can help turn the team around when he returns.
