Minnesota Timberwolves playoff odds with Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards set to return

Nov 28, 2022; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32), Timberwolves forward Kyle Anderson (5), and Timberwolves guard Wendell Moore Jr. (7) sit at the scorer's table against the Washington Wizards in the second quarter at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

The Minnesota Timberwolves were the butt of many jokes early in the season after trading a treasure chest of assets for Rudy Gobert and the team floundered early on.

However, the Timberwolves, despite not having star big man Karl-Anthony Towns since November 28th, have rallied to be firmly in the playoff discussion. Towns is set to return from a Grade 3 calf strain as soon as Wednesday in addition to Anthony Edwards, who has missed the last two games with an ankle injury, and the No. 8 seed in the West is suddenly trending upwards.

There is optimism that Minnesota Timberwolves stars Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards (ankle) could return as soon as Wednesday vs. Atlanta Hawks, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Towns, sidelined since Nov. 28 with Grade 3 calf strain, is on the cusp of a major return.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 21, 2023

The middle of the Western Conference is crowded, three-and-a-half games separate the No. 5 seed and the No. 12 seed heading into the final 10 or so games, but Minnesota has been able to tread water long enough to be healthy and in prime position to make the postseason.

Here’s the updated playoff odds for the Timberwolves to make the postseason.

Minnesota Timberwolves playoff odds

Karl-Anthony Towns close to return

Towns has missed a majority of the season, only playing in 21 games this season alongside the former Defensive Player of the Year Gobert, but Minnesota has held onto their postseason standings.

The team remains plus-money to make the postseason given that they are currently slated to make the Play-In Tournament, but the schedule is favorable moving forward. The team has the 22nd most difficult schedule according to win percentage with only nine more games ahead of the postseason, playing only one team that has more than 40 wins (Sacramento Kings).

A late season surge can push Minnesota out of the Play-In and into the top six, which they trail by one game, and Towns may be the catalyst for a run.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.