Wolves' Karl-Anthony Towns tries to regain his three-point stroke

December 24, 2018 at 4:30AM
Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns, left, goes up to shoot over Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams, right, in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018.
Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns, left, goes up to shoot over Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams, right, in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018. (Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

OKLAHOMA CITY – Karl-Anthony Towns was shooting three-pointers at the end of practice Saturday, competing with Robert Covington to see who could make shots from five spots around the arc the quickest. As Covington was advancing, Towns was still in the corner where he started — it seemed like nothing wanted to go in.

Towns joked that he was done shooting three-pointers. It was a reflection of where Towns' shot was entering Sunday's game against Oklahoma City, with Towns having hit only one of his previous 12 three-point attempts.

"For me personally, I don't know if I should take [those] now," Towns said.

This slump for Towns from three-point range came after he hit at least one three-pointer in 30 consecutive games to start the season. Towns was a 42 percent three-point shooter a season ago and after the last two games his percentage dipped from 40 to 37. Towns was trying not to sweat his cold streak.

"I don't think it's my preparation or work ethic. It's just something that happened," Towns said. "That's how the season goes. I had it last year the same way. I started off the season, I couldn't find one to go in. … The next thing you know I'm next to great 3-point shooters for most consecutive makes. It gets flipped real quick."

Towns shot x-for-x from beyond the arc in a xxx-xxx victory/loss to the Thunder.

Rose out again

Derrick Rose missed Sunday's game because of a sore left ankle that caused him to miss the second half of Friday's 124-98 defeat against San Antonio. Coach Tom Thibodeau said Rose was doing better and they will re-evaluate his status before Wednesday's game against the Bulls. Jeff Teague missed his fourth consecutive game, also because of a left ankle injury.

Not-so top golf

Towns was one of the organizers of a team outing to Topgolf in Oklahoma City, where he and his teammates practiced their drives off the tee. Some Wolves, such as Tyus Jones, recorded the efforts for comedic effect on social media. There were a lot of awkward swings from Andrew Wiggins and a whiff from Josh Okogie.

"[My swing] got better over time," Wiggins said Sunday.

Towns said the night was good for team camaraderie.

"Team events are a good way for us to keep bonding together and keeping that chemistry going," Towns said. "It's a daily process and every day we have to work at it. We have to work on our relationships with each other."

about the writer

about the writer

Chris Hine

Sports reporter

Chris Hine is the Timberwolves reporter at the Minnesota Star Tribune.

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