The Timberwolves improved to 2-1 under interim head coach Ryan Saunders with a 110-106 win at Target Center over the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night.
Leading the way was Karl-Anthony Towns, who scored 27 points and pulled down a career-high 27 rebounds to go along with three assists, two steals and four blocks.
Towns’ 27 rebounds are the most in a game by a player this season.
“I just want to be the energy my team needs on a nightly basis,” Towns said, via ESPN, “and if they need more I’ve got to be able to bring it.”
Towns is averaging 26.5 points, 16.6 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game over his last 10 games.
Tyus Jones also stepped up for the Wolves, taking over for Jeff Teague who tweaked an ankle that has kept him out of double-digit games this season. Jones finished with 14 points, six assists and zero turnovers in 28 minutes.
Minnesota is now 21-22 on the season, just two games behind the Lakers for eighth in the Western Conference playoff race.
Up next, the Wolves face the Clippers in L.A. on Monday.
