The return of star players Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards to the starting lineup for the Minnesota Timberwolves’ game against the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday could boost their chances of making the playoffs.
On Friday, Edwards, who is averaging 24.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 4.4 assists, injured his right ankle in a game against the Chicago Bulls and needed assistance getting off the court. He was out of the last two games.
Towns has been out with a right calf strain since late November, and he was injured again while rehabbing in January. In 21 games this season, Towns is averaging 20.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 5.3 assists.
Chris Finch, the head coach of Minnesota, played down the possibility that both players would play on Wednesday.
Finch stated, “Ant always wants to play” regarding Edwards. He never feels hurt, so let’s hope it’s feeling better, as he claims it is. In any case, as far as agony resistance, scope of development, security, everything, I believe we’re attempting to sort out where that truly is with him.”
In the injury report that was submitted on Tuesday, the team listed both players as questionable. Previously, towns were listed as out.
On March 13, the Timberwolves defeated Atlanta 136-115 to earn their first victory of the season. Trae Young of Atlanta scored 41 points, his third game this season with 40 or more. Minnesota received 32 points from Edwards.
On their just-completed road trip, the Minnesota Timberwolves lost two of three games and defeated the New York Knicks 140-134 on Monday. Minnesota plays the Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, and Phoenix Suns on the road following their home game against Atlanta.
The Western Conference’s ninth-ranked team, Minnesota (36-37), is only one game behind sixth-place Golden State, which holds the final guaranteed playoff spot.
The Hawks (36-36) are coming off a 129-107 victory on Tuesday against the Detroit Pistons, who are currently in last place.
Atlanta scored 100 or more points for the 47th consecutive game, the longest active streak in the NBA and the second-longest streak in franchise history (behind a 53-game stretch from 1969 to 1970). All five starters scored in double figures.
No. 1 is Atlanta. 8 in the East, three games behind No. 6 Brooklyn, and one game in front of No. 9 Toronto with ten remaining games.
Dejounte Murray, who missed Tuesday’s game due to a non-COVID illness, and reserve Jalen Johnson, who has missed three games with a left hamstring and groin sprain, are both out for the Hawks. Starting in Murray’s place, Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 18 points and made a team-high four 3-pointers.
Young, who scored just nine points Sunday in Atlanta’s loss to the San Antonio Spurs, recorded his 35th double-double at Detroit, scoring 30 points and dishing out 12 assists. His 24th game with more than 30 points.
