Getty Image / David Berding
Karl-Anthony Towns is supposed to be an excellent and efficient scorer for the Minnesota Timberwolves, a key cog in a team that reached the Western Conference Finals this year.
But, after yet another lackluster game three including a horrific close to yet another Wolves lost, Karl-Anthony Towns is being criticized by the entire basketball world Sunday night.
Towns was dreadful in Sunday’s Game 3 in Dallas against the Mavs. With the Wolves down 2-0, they faced a must-win game, but KAT simply didn’t show up.
Once again, his efficiency was terrible, as he finished just 5-18 for 14 points. That included an awful 0-8 mark from three-point range.
Despite that, the Wolves were still very much in the game with just a few minutes remaining. Then, Minnesota coach subbed in Karl-Anthony Towns for the consistent Naz Reid, and everything went wrong.
T’Wolves Coach Chris Finch subbed in Karl-Anthony Towns in for Kyle Anderson at the 3:21 mark. Minnesota was down by 2 at the time. Dallas then went on a 9-0 run to close the game.
— Steven Cheah (@StevenCheah) May 27, 2024
Yeah, that’s just terrible. There is no reason this season to play Karl-Anthony Towns over Naz Reid, who has been excellent and is much better on the defensive end.
Just how bad has Karl-Anthony Towns been this series? He’s 15/54 from the floor, and good for 37.5% on threes and 13.6% from three. That’s just abysmal.
Make no mistake, he’s not the only Wolves star that is struggling. Anthony Edwards has not risen to the occasion this series in the biggest moments as well. But, Towns has been dreadful for pretty much every minute he’s been on the floor.
The internet has had enough of Karl-Anthony Towns.
KAT needs to look in the mirror
this series right here is absolutely disgusting to watch
no excuses you're just straight up garbage
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) May 27, 2024
KAT is a former 1st overall pick in his prime, who will be making over 50 mil next season and is like the 4th most impactful big in this series behind 1 whos a rookie and another who is undrafted
— K.C. (@Not___KC) May 27, 2024
KAT called himself the greatest shooting big man of all time and then walked into dirk’s house and couldn’t throw a marble into the grand canyon
— Shea Serrano (@SheaSerrano) May 27, 2024
History suggests that the Timberwolves season is over. Over 150 NBA teams have fallen behind 3-0. None of them have won the series. And, they’re down 3-0 in large part due to the play of Anthony Edwards.
Ultimately, the Timberwolves may look to trade Karl-Anthony Towns this offseason. Naz Reid could easily step into his role, and they would get a solid return back. Frankly, he’s going to be a punching bag among the fan base for a long time after this dreadful series.