The Minnesota Timberwolves are now down 2-0 in their series against the Dallas Mavericks in the 2024 Western Conference finals. That means the T’wolves completely failed to capitalize on their homecourt advantage in the first two games of the series and will now have to find a way to even the series at 2-2 in enemy territory, with the next couple of games scheduled to be played in Dallas.
A big reason for the Timberwolves’ struggles in the series so far has been the letdown play of big man Karl-Anthony Towns.
The Struggle Continues for Minnesota Timberwolves’ Karl-Anthony Towns
The former Kentucky Wildcats star has not shot the ball well in the series. In Game 1, he went just 6/20 from the floor for 16 points. In Minnesota’s 109-108 loss in Game 2 at home on Friday night, Towns needed 16 attempts from the field to score 15 points. It got so bad for Towns that he got benched for the final eight-plus minutes in Game 2.
Karl-Anthony Towns on being benched for the final 8:40 of the 4th Q: “I’m with winning, so whatever it takes to win. Naz [Reid] has it going. Coach’s decision, I’m fully supportive of my coaching staff. Wouldn’t question them one bit.”
For what it’s worth, Towns appears to be aware of the problem besieging his team in the Mavericks series.
Via the Associated Press (h/t ESPN):
“We’re just beating ourselves a lot of the times, making simple, mental errors,” said Towns, who had 15 points on 4-for-16 shooting. “Our defense that’s held us together all year, sometimes it just falters in the wrong times. If you mix that in with the offense that we’re just not producing right now, it’s tough.”
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