The Minnesota Timberwolves have been working hard to keep the team competitive until PF/C Karl Anthony Towns returns to this team. The problem is, that return has been eagerly anticipated for weeks, and the anticipation has evolved into a whisp of wishing now. The reason for the prolonged recovery is the mere fact that it was not a steady progression. In fact, he was out of his boot, but due to a setback in his rehab, he was back in the boot. That was enough to delay the timetable for his return back by several weeks.
And so, here we are, still waiting. All the while, the team has tried to press on without him and has had mixed success at doing so. A record of 26-26 without their All-Star power forward/center is nothing to sneeze at when taken in the context of competing without KAT. But after the team rolled the dice on a high-stakes gamble to acquire All-Star center Rudy Gobert, a record of 36-37 with just nine games remaining on the 2022-23 NBA schedule brings with it a bit of a letdown.
Minnesota Timberwolves full injury report vs. Atlanta Hawks on March 22
The Minnesota Timberwolves roster is currently fighting through multiple injuries. Right now, the team is trying to heal injuries to a number of key players. We had already discussed the injury to star shooting guard Anthony Edwards, who is fighting through his high-ankle sprain and trying to return to action after missing two games.
Backup shooting guard Jaylen Nowell was able to return to action after missing the previous 10 games with a left knee injury. He debuted with 20 minutes of playing time, long enough to put up 14 points, three steals, one block, one rebound, and four assists.
And even more positive momentum has led power forward Karl Anthony Towns to be upgraded to questionable status after missing the previous 52 games. While some believe that the Hawks game is an ideal stage to showcase his return, I would not be surprised if he does not suit up.
Finally, the team will be without center Luka Garza, who will be competing in the G-League for the Iowa Wolves:
Towns said he experienced a "Major setback" in late January.
— Charlie Walton (@CharlieWaltonMN) March 20, 2023
“It was obvious. You have a boot one day, then you’re out of a boot and now you’re back in a boot. That’s a setback."https://t.co/CaVUIBxKM6 pic.twitter.com/L962NHQklK
The Atlanta Hawks are dealing with injuries of their own in this one. Hawks’ shooting guard DeJounte Murray is still recovering from a non-COVID-19 illness and remains questionable for this game.
Big off the bench, small forward Jalen Johnson is still suffering from a hamstring injury and is out for this game.
Will Karl-Anthony Towns play in Atlanta Hawks vs. Minnesota Timberwolves on Mar. 22?
Karl-Anthony Towns has missed 52 consecutive games, but there is a growing consensus that he may be able to suit up and compete at Target Center against the Atlanta Hawks. While that seems rather optimistic, the chances of him doing so are increasing every day.
ESPN Sources: After missing 51 games with a calf injury, Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns plans to make his return vs. the Atlanta Hawks tonight. Towns has been out since Nov. 28, and comes back with Minnesota ninth in the Western Conference playoff race.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 22, 2023
And reports like this fuel the optimism.
After missing 51 straight games with a Grade 3 calf strain, Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns will return tonight vs. Atlanta Hawks barring setback in pregame, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Nine games remaining as T'Wolves battle for playoff positioning. pic.twitter.com/t7rxbqJ5ww
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 22, 2023
That pretty much confirms it.
Karl-Anthony Towns’ injury history
Karl-Anthony Towns last played in the 2022-23 NBA season on November 28, 2022, in a road game against the Washington Wizards, a game in which the Timberwolves fell to a 10-11 record. He has since been out of the Timberwolves’ lineup as his teammates have scratched and clawed to play to a record of 26-26 without him.
There are plenty of reasons for KAT to return to the basketball court as quickly as possible. The sooner he returns, the sooner his 20+ points per game can contribute to this team’s offensive output. There have been several games where his ability to score from in the paint as well as from the perimeter would have been significantly helpful for the Timberwolves.
Will Karl-Anthony Towns pair with Anthony Edwards tonight?
There is a remote chance that Minnesota Timberwolves fans might even see long-injured power forward Karl-Anthony Towns line up next to star shooting guard Anthony Edwards. Unfortunately, I believe that Edwards is the more likely of the two to suit up and play in this one.
There is optimism that Minnesota Timberwolves stars Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards (ankle) could return as soon as Wednesday vs. Atlanta Hawks, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Towns, sidelined since Nov. 28 with Grade 3 calf strain, is on the cusp of a major return.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 21, 2023
But there is that undying twinkle of optimism.
Minnesota Timberwolves next 5 opponents
There really is not much left to the 2022-23 NBA season, is there? Right now, the Minnesota Timberwolves have just nine games remaining on the schedule. With that in mind, there is a lot of pressure on the team to deliver victories. The challenge becomes even more urgent as many of their opponents are competing for the same NBA Playoffs seeding.
Here is a look at the Timberwolves’ next five games after facing the Hawks.
Sunday, Mar. 26 at Golden State Warriors at 7:30 p.m. CT
Monday, Mar. 27 at Sacramento Kings at 9:00 p.m. CT
Wednesday, Mar. 29 at Phoenix Suns at 9:00 p.m. CT
Friday, Mar. 31 vs. Los Angeles Lakers at 7:00 p.m. CT
Sunday, Apr. 2 vs. Portland Trail Blazers at 2:30 pm CT