Minnesota Timberwolves star center Karl-Anthony Towns has suffered a fractured wrist and will be re-evaluated in two weeks according to an official team press release. Towns missed the team’s final game before the All-Star Break due to the wrist injury.
After sustaining a left wrist injury, Towns received a period of treatment and monitoring from the Wolves medical staff. Continued evaluation of the injury confirmed a wrist fracture. While Towns has been diligent in treatment with a goal of return to play, he has been assessed by multiple specialists over the last several days and the team continues to gather information on the optimal management strategies.
The 24-year-old star has battled injury all season including a knee injury that forced him to miss a big chunk of the season. Towns started off the 2019-20 season red hot and is having a career season despite the ailments. He is averaging 26.5 points and 10.8 rebounds per game while shooting 50.8% from the floor and 41.2% from 3-point territory. His absence in the starting lineup leaves a gigantic hole, even with new teammate D’Angelo Russell carrying the offensive load.
While this season is a lost one for the Wolves, the acquisition of Russell gives hope for next year. The pairing of Towns and Russell is an exciting one, and the dynamic duo could have used the rest of this season to build chemistry. The injury to Karl-Anthony Towns puts a dent in that short-term plan but assuring a clean bill of health for Minnesota’s star big man is paramount. In his first few seasons in the league, Towns has maintained a healthy disposition. He missed only five games last season and did not miss any games in the two seasons prior.
Replacing Towns is a little more difficult after the Wolves traded backup center Gorgui Dieng to Memphis. Instead, undrafted rookie Naz Reid will likely get some time at center.
