KAT out at least 1 month, will undergo meniscus surgery

Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns will be re-evaluated in four weeks once he undergoes meniscus surgery early next week, the team announced.

An MRI revealed a lateral tear.

It's unclear when Towns was hurt, but he was previously ruled out for Thursday's contest against the Indiana Pacers due to knee soreness.

Towns has struggled to stay healthy in recent years. He managed only 29 appearances in 2022-23 and has played more than 70 games just once over the previous four campaigns.

Towns has been a key member of the top-seeded T-Wolves, averaging 22.1 points, 8.4 boards, and three assists over 60 appearances. The Kentucky product scored a franchise-record 62 points in a 128-125 loss to the Charlotte Hornets in January.

Towns earned his fourth All-Star nod last month.

Backup big man Naz Reid will likely move into the starting lineup. The 6-foot-9 center has been having another solid season off the bench, averaging career highs in points (12.3 per game) and 3-point percentage (41%).