Timberwolves at Hawks
With a healthy and thriving Karl-Anthony Towns, the Minnesota Timberwolves are charging toward a playoff spot in the Western Conference. Winners of four of their last five, the Timberwolves begin a three-game road trip at the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday.
Towns returned from a two-game absence following a scary car accident last week to record 34 points, 21 rebounds and five assists in a 112-105 win over Sacramento on Monday. "You're so used to just grinding your body to dust every single day, and you don't get a chance to realize how much you appreciate being there," Towns told reporters after the impressive return. "I've always wanted to be available for my teammates, be available for the Wolves, but when you sit out you're looking at a different perspective." Minnesota's surge has it three games out of a playoff spot. The rebuilding Hawks are 8 1/2 behind in the playoff race in the East after dropping two of three out of the All-Star break.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), FS Southeast (Atlanta)
ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (29-31): Injuries at the point guard position have been commonplace this season for Minnesota, as Jeff Teague, Derrick Rose and Tyus Jones have missed a combined 38 games. With Teague (knee) sidelined Monday, Jones made his first start since Jan. 2 and finished with 16 points and eight assists. Rose chipped in 20 points off the bench and he is averaging 21 in 23.7 minutes over his last three games.
ABOUT THE HAWKS (20-41): Rookie Trae Young scored a career-high 36 points while making eight 3-pointers in Monday's 119-111 loss at Houston and later showed his team-first attitude. "For me, I've grown up with a dad who raised me that winning is the only thing that matters," Young told the media. "So for me, of course you want to play well, of course you want to do well in the game and help your team, but at the end of the day I don't feel good about it." John Collins notched his second straight double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds in the loss.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Hawks SG Kent Bazemore scored 32 points -- tied for his season high -- in a 123-120 overtime win at Minnesota earlier this season.
2. Towns is shooting 64.7 percent from the field and 53.8 percent from 3-point range in February.
3. Young is 21-for-40 from beyond the arc over a four-game span.