Towns 'on track' to return Friday against Hawks

Towns hasn't played since March 4 after suffering a torn meniscus

Mar 4, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) / Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Karl-Anthony Towns is "on track" to return to action Friday against the Hawks, according to Shams Charania.

Towns has missed the Wolves' last 18 games after suffering a torn meniscus that required surgery to repair on March 12. In Towns' absence the Wolves have gone 12-6. His return means the Timberwolves could be at full strength heading into the playoffs.

Minnesota's Karl-Anthony Towns is on track to return Friday vs. Hawks. He's been upgraded to questionable. Wolves entering weekend tied for No. 2 in the West. https://t.co/M0VSH1cBKI

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 11, 2024

Towns was averaging 22.1 points and 8.4 rebounds per game this season while shooting a career-high 42% from 3-point range.

Minnesota currently holds the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference with just two games left. The Wolves sit just a game back of the Nuggets for first place.

The Wolves host the Hawks Friday at Target Center with tipoff set for 7:10 p.m.