Karl-Anthony Towns: Lakers' Russell Westbrook Chases Stats; 'He Tries to Do Too Much'
Dec 27, 2021
Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook (0) celebrates after scoring during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Brooklyn Nets in Los Angeles, Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Karl-Anthony Towns said he plays basketball to win games, not for what it'll say on the stat sheet.
Russell Westbrook, on the other hand, is a stat-chaser, according to Towns.
“He definitely gets stats,” Towns said in an interview with streamer Adin Ross on Monday. “He chases stats. But I think he’s a hell of a player, though. I don’t care what anyone says—you know how hard it is to get a triple-double? You know how hard it is? And he play hella hard. I just think that sometimes he plays too quick. He tries to do too much.”
Westbrook is the NBA's all-time leader in triple-doubles with 190, and he's the only player in league history to average a triple-double in multiple seasons, doing so four times. While his propensity for filling up the stat sheet has him locked in as a future Hall of Famer, it hasn't always translated to deep playoff runs.
Westbrook has not gotten past the second round of the playoffs since Kevin Durant left Oklahoma City after the 2015-16 season.
That being said, even Westbrook's stat-hungriest performance has led to more consistent winning results than Towns in Minnesota. The Wolves have made the playoffs just once in his career.
Once Westbrook catches wind of Towns' comments, it would be very fair of him to point at their respective career scoreboards.
T-Wolves' D'Angelo Russell Reportedly Enters NBA Health and Safety Protocols
Dec 25, 2021
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 03: D'Angelo Russell #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves directs his teammates in the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on December 03, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard D'Angelo Russell entered the NBA's health and safety protocols on Saturday, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard D’Angelo Russell has entered into Covid protocols, sources tell ESPN. He’s the eighth player to enter for Minnesota, including Karl Anthony-Towns, Anthony Edwards and Patrick Beverley.
Russell is averaging 18.7 points, 4.0 rebounds and 6.7 assists in 27 games. That said, he's shooting a career-low 38.3 percent from the field, including 33.5 percent from beyond the arc.
With the Ohio State alum sidelined, Patrick Beverley and Jordan McLaughlin figure see more playing time.
The Timberwolves are off through the weekend and are scheduled to return to play Monday against the Boston Celtics.
Timberwolves' Karl-Anthony Towns Enters NBA Health and Safety Protocols
Dec 23, 2021
Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns, front, looks to make a pass in front of Dallas Mavericks forward Marquese Chriss, rear, in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021. (AP Photo/Matt Strasen)
The Minnesota Timberwolves will be without star big man Karl-Anthony Towns for Thursday's game against the Utah Jazz.
The Timberwolves announced Towns was one of multiple players who will miss the game because of health and safety protocols. He is joined by Patrick Beverley, Anthony Edwards, Josh Okogie, Taurean Prince, Jarred Vanderbilt and McKinley Wright IV in protocols.
It wasn't all bad news for Minnesota, as Jaylen Nowell (right thumb contusion) and Naz Reid (left calf contusion) were both listed as available.
Towns is the go-to option for the team and is a double-double threat every time he takes the floor. He is averaging 24.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.1 blocks and 1.0 steals per game behind 51.0 percent shooting from the field and 42.6 percent shooting from three-point range.
The absence of Towns and Edwards means the Timberwolves will be without their top two scorers against the Jazz.
Towns notably tested positive for COVID-19 in January and returned on Feb. 10 after missing 13 games during the 2020-21 campaign.
On the court, Minnesota has made the playoffs just once since the 2003-04 season. It has the opportunity to change that pattern and reach the postseason in 2022 in large part because of Towns' dominance.
The Timberwolves are 15-16, which is good enough for the No. 9 seed and a spot in the play-in tournament in the Western Conference standings.
Kristaps Porzingis Won't Play for Mavs vs. Timberwolves Because of Toe Injury
Dec 22, 2021
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 19: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the Dallas Mavericks prepares to shoot a free throw during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on December 19, 2021 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
Dallas Mavericks forward Kristaps Porzingis is one of a number of players who will miss Tuesday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
According to Mark Medina of NBA.com, Porzingis will be sidelined with right toe soreness.
What's more, Luka Doncic is out with a sore left ankle, and Reggie Bullock, Tim Hardaway Jr, Josh Green and Maxi Kleber are all in the league's health and safety protocols.
Porzingis was forced to leave Sunday's game against the Timberwolves with what was later described as toe soreness.
Injuries have long been an issue for Porzingis, who hasn't played more than 60 games in a season since 2016-17 with the New York Knicks. He tore his ACL the next season and has been in and out of the lineup over the past three years with the Mavericks.
Knee, ankle and back issues limited him to just 43 games in 2020-21.
Porzingis remains an impact player when on the floor, averaging 19.4 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game in 2021-22. The production is still likely less than Dallas was expecting when he was signed to a five-year, $158 million contract extension.
Dwight Powell should see more minutes with Porzingis dealing with the latest injury.
Karl-Anthony Towns Dominates as LeBron James, Lakers Fall to T-Wolves
Dec 18, 2021
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 17: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves drives to the basket during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on December 17, 2021 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
Despite playing without Anthony Edwards and Taurean Prince because of health and safety protocols, the Minnesota Timberwolves were able to score a 110-92victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night at Target Center.
The T-Wolves announced earlier in the day that Edwards and Prince would be unavailable.
The Lakers were also playing with just 10 players because of the NBA's health and safety protocols. Russell Westbrook was cleared for this game after entering health and safety protocols on Thursday. Isaiah Thomas made his debut for the Lakers after signing a 10-day contract earlier in the day.
Minnesota has now won three straight games after dropping five straight from Dec. 1 to Dec. 10. Head coach Chris Finch has his team within one game of the .500 mark (14-15) and just 1.5 games behind the Lakers for the No. 6 spot in the Western Conference.
This was another complete performance by the T-Wolves following a 17-point win over the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday. Their offense cracked the 100-point barrier for the 16th consecutive game.
The Timberwolves have liked playing the Lakers this season. They have won both matchups by an average of 21points.
Karl-Anthony Towns led the way for Minnesota with a double-double of 28 points and 10 rebounds. Jarred Vanderbilt used his size to grab 16 rebounds. D'Angelo Russell and Malik Beasley both scored 17 points.
The Lakers only shot 38.5 percentfrom the field and made just 12 of their 43 three-point attempts. Thomas did have a good comeback performance with 19 points off the bench.
Anthony Davis' knee is the biggest story for Los Angeles coming out of the game. He left in the third quarter after Jaden McDaniels fell into his leg. The eight-time All-Star was playing in his second straight game after sitting out the previous two games with a knee injury.
LeBron James did have a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds, but he only shot 5-of-13 from the field and had nearly as many turnovers (four) as assists (five).
Neither team came into this game at full strength, but it was much more apparent from the Lakers side that they were going to struggle.
Los Angeles scored just 16 points and shot 0-of-10 from three-point range in the first quarter, and Davis briefly left the game after rolling his ankle. He returned in the second quarter but left a second time in the third quarter and appeared to be favoring his knee after falling to the ground while walking to the locker room.
For clarity, LeBron James was being guarded by Jaden McDaniels and when he pushed off him, McDaniels fell backwards into Davis’ left leg/knee.
In the tunnel, Davis went down and was in a lot of pain. Not a good sign for the Lakers’ big man. https://t.co/yTC3HrFgLL
At one point, Towns appeared to make the "too-small" gesture toward Minnesota's bench after backing Davis down for an easy bucket in the second quarter.
Davis was hardly the only problem for the Lakers. James only attempted five shots in the first half. No player on the team reached double figures in scoring through the first two quarters.
Isaiah Thomas has as many points for the Lakers as LeBron James and Anthony Davis through two quarters.
Imagine hearing that as recently as, like, Tuesday.
Los Angeles' shooting did get better in the second quarter with 29 points. But the team still went into halftime trailing by 54-45 because the defense allowed Minnesota to score 31 points in the second quarter.
James had one of his worst games of the season Friday. He didn't hit the 10-point mark until early in the fourth quarter.
Once the Lakers fell behind big in the third, James started to become disengaged in the way that he can when he's frustrated. The 17-time All-Star would often stand around without the ball in his hands.
With James struggling to find his rhythm and Davis only able to play 20 minutes, Kent Bazemore was the team's leading scorer through three quarters with 11 points.
James did start to play more aggressively at the start of the fourth. He scored Los Angeles' first five points, but the team was trailing by 20 when he came to life.
Westbrook, who wasn't even certain to play until a few hours before tipoff, wasn't much of a factor. The nine-time All-Star attempted a season-low seven shots from the field and only had three assists.
This was always going to be a difficult game for the Lakers to win. They were already thin when their roster was fully healthy. Friday saw head coach Frank Vogel putting together a skeleton crew that didn't practice together in order to forge any sort of chemistry.
The best thing for the Lakers will be to just turn the page on this game and continue to wait for the rest of their roster to return. This isn't a performance worth panicking over because they had so much working against them.
T-Wolves' Size Overwhelms Lakers Lineup
Because of the injury to Davis and DeAndre Jordan's general ineffectiveness, it wasn't a surprise to see the 6'11" Towns and 6'9" Vanderbilt have their way with the Lakers.
Towns was scoring at all three levels. He made multiple three-pointers for the second consecutive game, with neither Jordan nor Davis able to keep up.
Going to work down low early...now Towns is banging home threes 😳
Vanderbilt didn't dominate in the scoring department with just four points, but he grabbed a season-high 16 rebounds (eight offensive). He also had three steals and two blocks on the defensive end.
Jarred Vanderbilt with a career-high 16 rebounds, just grabbed 2 offensive rebounds on one possession and Bazemore finally just tackled him to keep him from getting a third.
Second-chance opportunities were a key difference in the game. The Timberwolves had 15 offensive rebounds compared to one for the Lakers. That helped them get 20 more shot attempts than Los Angeles (98-78).
Four of Minnesota's five starters finished the game with a plus-minus rating of at least 23. Jaden McDaniels finished plus-10 in 22 minutes off the bench.
One of the biggest differences for the Timberwolves so far this season compared to last season is on defense. They entered this game ranked 13th in defensive rating (108.8 points allowed per 100 possessions), per Basketball Reference.
Minnesota hasn't ranked higher than 21st in that category since the 2013-14 season.
Towns' defense against the Lakers was exceptional:
Karl-Anthony Towns was excellent on both ends of the floor against the Lakers.
He notched his 10th game with 25 Pts & 10 Reb this season, 3rd most in the NBA.
The Lakers were 1-10 on shots contested by Towns as either the primary or help defender. pic.twitter.com/80ZNV7zZqN
If Finch can keep the Timberwolves playing at that level on the defensive end, they are going to be a factor in the playoff race. Their offense should be fine as long as Towns and Edwards stay healthy.
Despite having a 14-15 record, the T-Wolves feel like they are headed in the right direction for the first time in many years.
What's Next?
The Lakers are scheduled to wrap up their three-game road trip on Sunday against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center. Minnesota will host the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday in the first half of a home-and-home series between the two teams.
T-Wolves' Anthony Edwards Reportedly Enters NBA's Health and Safety Protocols
Dec 17, 2021
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 27: Anthony Edwards #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves dunks during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on October 27, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards has been placed in the NBA's COVID-19 health and safety protocols, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Edwards is averaging 22.1 points on 43.4 percent shooting (36.0 percent from the three-point line) and 3.6 assists for the Timberwolves. He hasn't missed a game yet for Minnesota, which sports a 13-15 record.
The 20-year-old, who Minnesota took with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft, led rookies with 19.3 points per game last year. He scored a season-high 42 points on two different occasions and averaged 23.8 points on 45.4 percent shooting after the All-Star break.
Without the rising NBA star, look for the Timberwolves to turn toward shooting guard Malik Beasley and small forward Taurean Prince to provide more minutes on the wing.
Minnesota is next in action Friday when it hosts the Los Angeles Lakers.
A timetable for Edwards' absence hasn't been announced.
D'Angelo Russell Ruled out for T-Wolves vs. Cavs with Ankle Injury
Dec 11, 2021
D'Angelo Russell (0), de los Timberwolves de Minnesota, conduce con el balón en contra de los Pelicans de Nueva Orleans ante la marca de Garrett Temple (41) en la segunda mitad del juego de la NBA, el sábado 23 de octubre de 2021, en Minneapolis. (AP Foto/Andy Clayton-King)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard D'Angelo Russell will miss Friday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers with right ankle soreness, the team announced.
This will be Russell's third straight game on the sidelines because of the ailment.
Russell has been largely a disappointment during his career with the Wolves, averaging 19.4 points and 6.1 assists on 41.3 percent shooting from the floor and 36 percent shooting from deep. Hopes that he could become an All-Star next to Karl-Anthony Towns do not seem to be panning out, and the team sent out their 2021 first-round pick as part of the deal.
The Ohio State product's continued injury woes aren't doing much to help the Timberwolves' seemingly losing cause with that deal.
Minnesota enters Friday's game with an 11-14 record, ninth in the Western Conference. With Russell sidelined, Ricky Rubio, Jordan McLaughlin and Ashton Hagans will have to continue to pick up the slack.
T-Wolves' Patrick Beverley, Anthony Edwards Slam Rudy Gobert's Defense After Loss
Dec 9, 2021
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 8: Patrick Beverley #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots a free throw during the game against the Utah Jazz on December 8, 2021 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Utah Jazz outscored the Minnesota Timberwolves by 31 points in the second half en route to a 136-104 road win on Wednesday.
After the game, Patrick Beverley and Anthony Edwards of the Timberwolves provided takes on the defensive merits and reputation of Jazz center Rudy Gobert.
From Beverley, per T-Wolves beat writer Dane Moore:
If I'm Defensive Player of the Year, I'm always guarding the best player no matter what. I'm not roaming. It's no discredit to Royce O'Neale or any of the others on their team, but if I'm Defensive Player of the Year, I'm not guarding Royce O'Neale. I'm guarding Mike Conley, I'm guarding Donovan Mitchell, I'm guarding [Bojan} Bogdanovic. You got Rudy Gobert out there guarding [Jarred} Vanderbilt. And every time I hear he's Defensive Player of the Year. So, uh, whatever.
Chris Hine of the Star-Tribune provided Edwards' comments:
Anthony Edwards said the best rim protector in the league is Kristaps Porzingis. On Rudy Gobert, Ant was honest ...
'Anytime I go against Porzingis, I don’t get no layups. I don’t get why we couldn’t finish on Rudy Gobert. He don’t put no fear in my heart. I don’t know why."
Edwards and Beverley aren't the first players to criticize Gobert's defense in some way.
Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons, who was the runner-up to Gobert for last year's Defensive Player of the Year award, touted his own defensive versatility while noting that the big man largely goes up against opponents his own size.
In a conversation with ESPN's Rachel Nichols, Simmons said Gobert is "great down there in the paint, but he's not guarding everybody."
"He guarded me in Utah. And I had 42. And apparently, I'm not a scorer, so it is what it is."
Simmons also doesn't have Gobert on his top-five defender list:
Ben Simmons doesn’t think Rudy Gobert is a top 5 defender
“I play ball, I’m looking at guys who can guard 1 through 5.” (🎥 @TheBallRealm )
On the flip side, Gobert is a three-time Defensive Player of the Year award winner. He was also tied for the league lead with 1.7 defensive win shares entering Wednesday, per Basketball-Reference.
ESPN's Kirk Goldsberry showcased just how dominant Gobert was last season too:
Rudy Gobert's defense in one graph.
He led the league in contested shots this season, AND he also allowed the lowest efficiency in the NBA among 160 players who were the closest defender on at least 500 shots this season. pic.twitter.com/vcxTYocdeq
Jake Lee of Salt Lake City Hoops also wrote a lengthy breakdown of Gobert's defensive skills last May in which he offered cases dispelling notions that the big man can't defend on the perimeter and guard players one through five.
Regardless of how one feels on Gobert's defense, it wasn't the primary reason for Utah's dominant win Wednesday.
Ultimately, Minnesota's defense was problematic as the Jazz shot 56.8 percent from the field and made 25 three-pointers. Donovan Mitchell led the way with 36 points.
Patrick Beverley Rumors: T-Wolves, Veteran PG Have Discussed New Contract
Dec 6, 2021
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - NOVEMBER 22: Patrick Beverley #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts after scoring a three point basket during the third quarter of a NBA game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on November 22, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
The Minnesota Timberwolves and guard Patrick Beverley have reportedly discussed a contract extension.
Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic said the team views re-signing Beverley as a "priority" this season.
Beverley, 33, is making $14.3 million in the final year of his contract. He's missed seven games this season because of injury but has been a vital, energetic addition to a Timberwolves team that holds a solid 11-12 record.
The two sides have time to reach an agreement before Beverley hits free agency, but it's likely he would take a pay cut from his current rate. Any multiyear pact would take him well into his mid-30s, and his insatiable competitiveness won't be able to mask the shortcomings of waning athleticism.
The Timberwolves see that competitive spirit as invaluable to a team that has lacked urgency in recent years despite consistently below-.500 play.
"I think he just drives competition. He's just one of those guys that raises up the morale and the energy of the group, of anyone he's around. When Pat's around, we all feel great, even the older players," Karl-Anthony Towns told Sam Quinn of CBS Sports about Beverley.
Towns said Beverley's leadership style reminds him of Kevin Garnett, which is about the highest compliment you can give in Minnesota basketball circles.
Karl-Anthony Towns Ruled out for T-Wolves vs. Nets with Tailbone Injury
Dec 4, 2021
Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns celebrates during the second half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)
Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns will miss Friday night's game against the Brooklyn Nets as he continues to nurse a tailbone contusion.
The Athletic and Stadium's Shams Charania first reported Towns would sit against Brooklyn.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski previously reported X-rays on Towns' back returned negative after he suffered a hard fall in Minnesota's loss to the Washington Wizards.
Towns, 26, has averaged 24.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.1 steals per game so far this season. The multi-faceted big is also shooting 50.8 percent from the field and a career-best 44.2 percent from three.
Naz Reid will see a bump in playing time as long as Towns is sidelined.
