Karl-Anthony Towns Talks Poor Play After Timberwolves' Game 1 Loss vs. Rockets

Karl-Anthony Towns made a minimal impact in the Minnesota Timberwolves' 104-101 loss to the Houston Rockets Sunday at Toyota Center, a problem that clearly needs to change before Game 2 of the first-round playoff series.

"I've got to be better all the way around," the center said after finishing with just eight points on 3-of-9 shooting, per Tim MacMahon of ESPN.

"He has to be more active," head coach Tom Thibodeau said of Towns, per MacMahon.

Although Towns added 12 rebounds, two assists and a block, he was seventh on the team in points despite leading the way with 40 minutes. It was the first time he failed to reach double figures since Dec. 4 against the Memphis Grizzlies.

Justin Phan of Fantasy Labs noted the backward usage rates for the Timberwolves:

It was a disappointing playoff debut for a player who averaged 21.3 points and 12.3 rebounds per game this season. He finished the year with 14.0 win shares, ranking second in the NBA behind only James Harden, per Basketball Reference.

Unfortunately, the team couldn't get much out of the All-Star, as Clint Capela smothered him.

TNT analyst Charles Barkley questioned the team's strategy at halftime for not getting Towns the ball more on mismatches:

Minnesota will be back on the court Wednesday for Game 2, and the squad could use more production from one of its best players.