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NBA Playoffs 2018: 5 players facing the most pressure

By Philip Rossman-Reich

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 13: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets passes the ball away from Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the game on February 13, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 13: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets passes the ball away from Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the game on February 13, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 05: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on November 5, 2017 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

3. Karl-Anthony Towns

The first taste of the playoffs is always a nerve-wracking experience. No one is ever sure how a player will respond to their first trip with the stakes this high. The energy in the building is so significantly different too. There is an added intensity.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have had their issues wrapping up a playoff spot this year, and could still see it slip through their grasp with a loss to the Nuggets tonight. The injury to Jimmy Butler took what seemed like a sure trip to the postseason, breaking one of the longest streaks in the league. Now they have to play their way in on the final night of the season.

The Timberwolves are facing severe pressure there. But a lot of the pressure will fall on their young players.

Karl-Anthony Towns has spent the first three years of his career putting up gaudy numbers. He has shined as the team’s growing star. But there are still questions about whether he can impact winning. He still gets criticism for his defense and everyone wonders if his stats are not empty.

Since Jimmy Butler’s injury on Feb. 23, Karl-Anthony Towns has averaged 24.6 points per game and 12.6 rebounds per game. More importantly, the Timberwolves went 9-9 in those 18 games. That is how Minnesota went from a near shoo-in to make the playoffs to needing a win on the last day to get in.

His postseason pressure starts a bit early.

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