The Minnesota Timberwolves received a devastating blow on Thursday, as their star center Karl-Anthony Towns was diagnosed with a torn meniscus in his left knee. Towns is out indefinitely and could miss the rest of the season, depending on the severity of the injury and the treatment plan.
Towns, 28, is having another stellar season, averaging 22.1 points, 8.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. He was selected to his fourth All-Star Game last month and has been one of the leaders of the Timberwolves, who are currently the top team in the Western Conference with a 43-19 record.
Just in: Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns has been diagnosed with a torn meniscus in his left knee and is out indefinitely, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. pic.twitter.com/JlPe73PnN9
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 7, 2024
The Timberwolves have not announced a timeline for Towns’ recovery, but the prognosis is not optimistic. A torn meniscus is a common knee injury that affects the cartilage that cushions the joint. Depending on the location and size of the tear, the treatment options can range from rest and rehabilitation to surgery.
A full meniscus repair, which preserves the cartilage, can take several months to heal, while a partial meniscectomy, which removes the damaged part, can have a shorter recovery time but also increase the risk of arthritis in the future.