3 surefire events, 2 surprises that may happen in Wolves-Lakers Play-In match up

Surefire Event II: Karl-Anthony Towns will remind everyone why he is so very valuable

It’s taken some time for Timberwolves’ power forward/center Karl-Anthony Towns to heal up his strained right calf and join his teammates on the basketball court. In fact, he has only competed in eight regular-season contests for the Timberwolves in 2023, contributing to a 5-3 record that has helped lead the team to the eighth seed of the NBA Western Conference and into the NBA Play-In Tournament.

Throughout his final eight games, he has averaged 31.0 minutes, nearly 21 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and has been shooting 22 of 45 from the perimeter, a clip of nearly 50 percent. That’s a lot of firepower and production to do without for 53 games, and the whispers of his absence barely caught the ears of the most astute Minnesota Timberwolves fans and analysts and were completely disregarded by the mainstream media.

Well, here is a chance to remind so many why he is one of the best in the NBA.

Keep in mind that the Timberwolves have added PG Mike Conley Jr. to the starting lineup. What he has not been able to replicate in terms of scoring points like his predecessor D’Angelo Russell, he has more than made up for in terms of activating everyone on the basketball court to unlock their full offensive potential, and to add to a bit stingier defensive play.

Karl Anthony-Towns has the benefit of competing in this one with Anthony Edwards, Kyle Anderson, Taurean Prince, and Mike Conley Jr., and to a lesser extent on Nathan Knight, Wendell Moore Jr., and Nickeil Alexander-Walker.  But make no mistake, KAT has long been a star NBA player who has gone with little to no help throughout his career.  He hasn’t forgotten how to take over a game just yet.