Karl-Anthony Towns is in the “final stages” of his recovery from a Grade 3 calf strain.
That’s according to Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch, who says the star is “itching to play” having been out with the injury he suffered against the Washington Wizards on Nov. 28.
But while Finch suggested KAT was nearing a return from injury, he remained vague about the timeline, continuing the theme throughout KAT’s injury about its severity.
“He’s definitely in the final stages. He’s itching to play. don’t think that it’s a question of anything like going off path right now. I think it’s just literally just going through the final stages of what that looks like,” Finch told reporters Thursday.
“I don’t know how long it’s going to be, but talking to him, I definitely sense more so than any other conversation I’ve had with him up until this point that he’s chomping at the bit to get back and ready to help this team when that time comes.”
After suffering the injury KAT, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Towns would miss 4-6 weeks. But Towns later revealed on his Twitch stream that the injury was severe and 4-6 weeks was never in the cards.
Timberwolves president of basketball operations Tim Connelly has said it’s “fair” to assume Towns would play after the All-Star break. Minnesota hosts the Charlotte Hornets in the first of the final 21-game stretch on Friday night. Towns will not play.
“I don’t get a sense that he’s at a play where he feels like he’s held back by anything,” Finch added, noting that Towns is “mentally” ready to play.
Shams Charania reported before the All-Star break that Minnesota hopes Towns can play in “at least” the final 10-15 games of the regular season.
