How many games will Karl-Anthony Towns play after schedule release?

The number of games that the Minnesota Timberwolves have gotten from star center/power forward Karl-Antony Towns is a fickle thing. In some seasons, he had played nearly the entire 82-game schedule. But more often than we’d care to admit, he has been injured and watching from the bench. That’s a problem for a team that depends on his ability to score.

Now that the Minnesota Timberwolves schedule has been released for the 2023-24 NBA season, you would not be wrong to ask yourself just how many games will KAT play. After all, he was an iron man of sorts in his first three years in the NBA, never missing a single game.

But as time wore on, and the Timberwolves’ fortunes did not improve for more than a season, Towns has not been the same. His durability has waned over time, culminating in the 2022-23 NBA season when he was only able to suit up and compete for a mere 35 percent of the season.

That’s not going to cut it, folks.

Let’s step back a moment and project what the chances are for the Minnesota Timberwolves to make the playoffs based on the durability of Karl-Anthony Towns this season:

0-20 games

If Karl-Anthony Towns falls into this category for the 2023-24 NBA season, not only will the Timberwolves be eager to trade him away, but no NBA team will be willing to offer much of anything for the versatile veteran.

Another disappointing season from Towns that is limited due to injury would not only be frustrating to the Minnesota Timberwolves, but it would cripple the Timberwolves’ roster. The Timberwolves cannot afford to spend so much money on a player who is not playing. In the end, Towns has got to be involved and earn those hefty paychecks.

If he cannot muster playing more than 20 games this season, the Timberwolves could very likely end up missing the 2024 NBA Playoffs altogether.