Timberwolves star is facing the most pressure in his career

Last Sunday, the Minnesota Timberwolves completed its first-ever sweep in a playoff series. The Wolves defeated the Phoenix Suns and moved on to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since the 2003-04 season. 

While that series win may have lifted a lot of figurative weight off the Timberwolves organization, Karl-Anthony Towns honed in on some keys to beating Denver. 

Keeping emotions in check and staying out of foul trouble have been two of KAT’s biggest bugaboos in the last three seasons. 

It’s unfair to point all the fingers at Towns because the Wolves have always been an immature team, which shows in their lack of success. Just last season the Timberwolves received the most technical fouls of any team. 

Last week, Anthony Edwards went public with Towns in a non-malicious way following game four of the Suns series where he called out his All-Star teammate for being in foul trouble for most of the series. 

Towns will be matched up with potential three-time MVP Nikola Jokic for most of the series, and between guarding him and doing what he has to do on offense, he will need to provide a level head and stay out of foul trouble. 

Jokic will draw fouls, but what is most concerning for Towns and the Wolves is his propensity for offensive fouls. He's had a history of being unable to control his limbs and receiving offensive fouls against physical defense. With Aaron Gordan likely matching up against Towns, he'll have to find a way to play through physicality and stay in control on offense.