Timberwolves’ Karl-Anthony Towns says 4 to 6 weeks was never his injury timeline

Jace Frederick, Pioneer Press
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Karl-Anthony Towns provided some insight into his injury and recovery timeline via Twitch — a video game streaming platform — late Thursday night.

The Timberwolves’ center has been out since Nov. 28. He missed his 27th consecutive game Saturday and is now a week beyond the initially reported potential four to six week recovery window, with no potential return in sight.

Towns noted that timeline was never accurate. He said his calf strain is a Grade 3 strain — defined by the United Kingdom’s National Health Service as “a severe tear where most of the muscle fibers are torn and can cause a complete rupture of the muscle.”

The recovery for such an injury can range from two to three months. The previously reported timeline is more indicative of a Grade 2 strain.

“It was never a Grade 2. It was never going to be a Grade 2, unfortunately,” Towns said. “I prayed to God almighty that it was a Grade 2, but I knew it wasn’t.”

Towns said he knew from the get-go that his recovery timeline would not be four to six weeks. He said it was the Timberwolves who tried to say four to six weeks.

“There was no way with the injury I sustained, it’s a very significant injury,” he said. “I don’t know if they were trying to give false hope to the fans or what the case may be.”

The team has only publicly said Towns would be out “indefinitely.” And all reporting of the four to six week timeline — including that in this paper — referred to such a timeline as a “hope” that was not guaranteed.

Towns said such a timeline wasn’t fair to the fans, nor himself — someone who has a penchant for playing through pain to stay on the floor.

“I love playing basketball. I love doing what I do. I love my job and love the game, and for you to give me false hope that I can be back in four to six, that’s not fair,” Towns said. “I just want to clear that up, because I’ve been seeing a lot of people say that.”

Towns isn’t the only Wolves player who has been sidelined for a lengthy period of time with a calf strain. Saturday marked the 23rd straight missed contest for backup point guard Jordan McLaughlin, who is suffering from the same ailment. His return is also far from imminent.

Towns did add his recovery is “going really well” and he’s improving.

“It takes time. This is a very real injury,” Towns said. “Significant, but it could’ve been way worse.”

Minnesota continues to successfully tread water in the absence of its All-NBA big man. The Timberwolves entered Saturday’s game against Houston with a 13-13 record in Towns’ absence.

“When KAT went down, we had to find a new rhythm, and we had to keep our head above water. And I think we’ve actually certainly done both,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said. “I love the way we’re competing. The spirit in the locker room is great, doesn’t matter who’s in and out of our lineup right now, guys are playing hard and giving ourselves a chance to win, and that’s all we can ask for. We’ve had a few stinkers in there, but that’s normal. And nights like (Thursday’s win over Toronto) make up for those, for sure.”

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