Karl-Anthony Towns' rebounding totals on the rise for Wolves

Karl-Anthony Towns entered the Timberwolves' game Sunday with the Denver Nuggets at Target Center on a rebounding roll.

Towns has scored 27 or more points in three of four games.

His rebounding totals have been impressive, too.

Towns started relatively slowly with his rebounding, getting 10 or more in just two of his first six games. But, as the season went on, the numbers have risen.

"We had a conversation," Towns said, referring to coach Tom Thibodeau. "He told me that, if we were going to have a chance to win, I needed to get more rebounds. I had to be more aggressive on the rebounding side. So, that's when I started taking off."

Towns' rebounding totals have risen each month. He averaged 5.0 in two October games, 10.6 in 16 November games, 13.2 in 15 games in December and 13.7 in 10 games in January entering Sunday. In his past five that number is 14.4.

"He started off slowly the first month," Thibodeau said. "Historically he's been an excellent rebounder. So you knew it would improve. I think his reaction to the ball has been better. So he's going after more. The more he goes after the more he's going to get."

And strong results. His 12.0 season rebounding average is 1.5 better than during his Rookie of the Year season.

"I've gotten more comfortable," Towns said. "I understand the defense teams are using on me, understanding where my spots are."

Sunday's game featured two centers, each exemplifying the skills big men are entering the NBA with these days. Both Towns and Denver's Nikola Jokic can score from all over the court, pushing back to the three-point line. Both also are strong passers.

"The game is going more in that direction," Thibodeau said. "We had guys, like when Kevin [Garnett] played, he could shoot the ball, play away from the basket. [Tim] Duncan could do the same thing. They didn't necessarily shoot threes. With that element, it opens up the floor even more."

In 2013, the league for the first time put "frontcourt" players on the All-Star ballot rather than a center and two forwards. Part of the reason was the relative dearth of great centers at the time. Since then, though, the game has seen the position grow deeper in talent.

"Now there is an influx of centers," Thibodeau said. "It's good for the game. Maybe they'll look at [voting] again, re-examine it."

Denver coach Michael Malone agreed.

"All the young bigs — Joel Embiid, Brook Lopez, Nikola Jokic, Karl-Anthony Towns — their ability to step out and shoot the ball is really what separates today's modern-day NBA big compared to years ago."

Saturday, for the first time in his life, Towns went to a hockey game.

Towns crossed the river to go to Xcel Energy Center to watch the Wild rally from two goals down for a victory over Anaheim.

"It was a lot of fun," Towns said. "So to see the Wild, one of the best teams in the NHL, and get the chance to be a guest, was a huge privilege. So count me in as a Wild fan now."

Towns got a Wild sweater with his name out of it. And a newfound fondness for the sport.

"The atmosphere the Wild have over there at Xcel is amazing," he said. "That's what we're trying to bring here to Target Center.''