MINNEAPOLIS, MN – In a surprising turn of events during Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals, Minnesota Timberwolves’ star Karl-Anthony Towns found himself on the bench for a significant portion of the fourth quarter. The decision by head coach Chris Finch raised eyebrows, but Karl-Anthony Towns was quick to show his unwavering support for the team’s strategy.
“I’m with winning, so whatever it takes to win,” Karl-Anthony Towns stated, as reported by Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic. “Naz has it going. Coach’s decision, I’m fully supportive of my coaching staff. Wouldn’t question them one bit. Of course, I’m always going to be ready to play whenever he calls. Naz got it going, our team was playing well.”
Karl-Anthony Towns: Key Moments in Game 2
Karl-Anthony Towns played just 26 minutes in the Timberwolves‘ narrow 109-108 loss to the Dallas Mavericks, a game that left Minnesota trailing 2-0 in the series. With under nine minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Towns was subbed out and did not return.
The Timberwolves opted to finish the game with Naz Reid and Kyle Anderson alongside Rudy Gobert in the frontcourt, while Jaden McDaniels also saw some action. The critical moment came when Mavericks’ superstar Luka Dončić hit a game-winning triple over Gobert, sealing the victory for Dallas. Karl-Anthony Towns could only watch from the bench as the final seconds ticked away.
Struggles and Support
Despite his reduced playing time, Karl-Anthony Towns maintained a positive outlook. He finished the game with 15 points and seven rebounds but struggled with his shooting, hitting just 4-16 from the field and 1-5 from three-point range. This performance followed a stellar series against the Denver Nuggets in the previous round, where Towns had been instrumental in the Timberwolves’ success.
Head coach Chris Finch acknowledged Karl-Anthony Towns’ struggles but remained optimistic about his star player’s ability to bounce back. “With KAT, I think he’s just got to calm down,” Finch said, according to Krawczynski. “I think he’s coming out of the gate pressing a little bit, maybe getting off on the wrong foot and then chasing the game.”
Looking Ahead to Game 3
As the Timberwolves prepare for Game 3, the focus will be on finding a way to get Karl-Anthony Towns back to his best. His shooting percentage has been a concern, with just 10-36 from the field across the first two games against Dallas. However, Towns’ positive attitude and commitment to the team’s success provide a solid foundation for a potential turnaround.
Game 3 is set for Sunday at 8 p.m. ET, where Minnesota will look to avoid falling into a perilous 3-0 series deficit. Karl-Anthony Towns’ performance will be crucial in determining the Timberwolves’ fate as they seek to keep their championship hopes alive.
By maintaining a team-first mentality and supporting his coach’s decisions, Karl-Anthony Towns exemplifies leadership and resilience, qualities that will be essential as the Minnesota Timberwolves fight to stay in the series against the Dallas Mavericks.
