Woj: Karl-Anthony Towns Expected to Return from Injury for Timberwolves vs. Hawks

Minnesota Timberwolves big man Karl-Anthony Towns is expected to return for the team's matchup against the Atlanta Hawks on Friday, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Towns hasn't appeared in a game since March 4 due to a meniscus injury that required surgery. The 28-year-old was cleared for full-contact and five-on-five basketball activities by the team Tuesday.

The four-time All-Star started in 60 of the Timberwolves' first 62 games prior to the injury.

Towns was having another productive season, averaging 22.1 points and 8.4 rebounds per game while shooting 50.6 percent from the field and 42.3 percent from three. He dropped a career-high 62 points against the Charlotte Hornets on Jan. 22.

His ability to space the floor for his teammates has allowed head coach Chris Finch to use him in a variety of lineups and remain effective. In fact, Towns owns the third-best net rating among Timberwolves players to appear in at least 50 games, per NBA.com.

Minnesota has been able to keep pace in a competitive race at the top of the Western Conference standings despite his absence, relying on the offensive output of Anthony Edwards as well as the defensive impact of Rudy Gobert. Backup center Naz Reid has also thrived in extended minutes, averaging 17.6 points per game in his 14 starts.

The Timberwolves have gone 12-6 in the 18 games since Towns suffered the injury.

Still, he'll likely provide a boost to Minnesota's starting lineup and cause the team to finish the regular season strong. The Timberwolves hold the No. 2 seed in the West, although they own the same record as the Oklahoma City Thunder at No. 3.

Minnesota will hope that Towns looks like his old self as the regular season concludes and potentially help the organization win its first playoff series since 2004.