Karl-Anthony Towns and D'Angelo Russell, both out of the NBA's health and safety protocols, took part in shootaround Wednesday morning, did a post-shootaround workout after and, Wednesday evening, were both in the starting lineup against Oklahoma City at Target Center.
It was Towns' first game since Dec. 21 and Russell's first since Dec. 23. It was just the 11th time this season coach Chris Finch was able to go with his preferred starting lineup of Towns, Russell, Anthony Edwards, Jarred Vanderbilt and Patrick Beverley. The last time this starting five was together was Dec. 15.
Talking after shootaround, Towns sounded like a man ready to return.
"I've always been a person who likes to be thrown into the fire,'' he said. "So I expect nothing less. I think we have a good plan for tonight.''
For Towns, it has to be a matter of good riddance to the year 2021. Towns caught COVID-19 in January, then got it again in December.
"I got COVID to start 2021 and I end 2021 with COVID,'' Towns said. "The difference was I was very much sicker the last time. I was less sick this time. It was the timing that was awful. Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, you're supposed to be with my family. I couldn't make that happen. New Year came, was in bed. I'm just happy to be out of it finally. I missed enough holidays. I just want to come back to the game of basketball.''
Towns said he lost 50 pounds in his first bout, about 15 the second time around. Thus, he said he feels better prepared to return from the illness this time. He was able to lift weights during his recovery and said he didn't lose much strength.
What's important is that he's back.
