Karl-Anthony Towns to Return from COVID-19 for Timberwolves vs. Clippers

Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns will play in Wednesday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers after previously denying a report he was cleared to return. 

"This is news to me! Last time I checked, I was gonna go through shootaround and see how I feel. Underlying conditions and Covid don’t mix well," Towns tweeted in response to a report from Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium. 

Towns missed the last 13 games after announcing a positive COVID-19 diagnosis Jan. 15. 

Towns previously revealed to reporters that seven family members, including his mother, have died since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. He also revealed last month that he was hit by a drunk driver during the offseason and hospitalized.

"I pray every day that this nightmare of a virus will subside and I beg everyone to continue to take it seriously by taking all the necessary precautions," Towns said in a statement last month. 

"It breaks my heart that my family, and particularly my father and sister continue to suffer from the anxiety that comes along with this diagnosis as we know all too well what the end result could be. To my niece and nephew ... I promise you I will not end up in a box next to grandma and I will beat this."

Towns has played in only four games this season due to a combination of injuries and the virus. He is averaging 22.0 points, 12.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists.