KAT cleared for full-contact practices
Karl-Anthony Towns has been cleared for full-contact five-on-five basketball activities and is making progress toward his return to play, the Minnesota Timberwolves announced Tuesday.
The team is optimistic that the All-Star will return to the lineup before the start of the postseason, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania.
The 28-year-old participated in his first scrimmage Sunday since undergoing surgery for a knee injury last month.
Towns has averaged 22.1 points, 8.4 rebounds, and three assists over 60 appearances this year.
Minnesota's opening playoff matchup isn't expected to take place until either April 20 or 21.
The Timberwolves (54-24) sit atop the Western Conference standings with four games remaining in the regular season.
They host the Washington Wizards on Tuesday before heading on the road to play the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday. They'll then welcome the Atlanta Hawks on Friday before concluding their regular-season slate against the Phoenix Suns on Sunday.
Backup forward Naz Reid has played his way to being a Sixth Man of the Year candidate in Towns' absence, averaging more than 18 points and seven boards per contest in 11 starts, per CBS Sports' Sam Quinn.
The Timberwolves have posted a 10-5 mark without Towns.