Karl-Anthony Towns injury: How serious is a calf strain and how long will KAT be out?

The Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns will miss several weeks due to an injury he sustained on Monday night.

Towns was hurt halfway through the third quarter of Minnesota’s 142-127 loss against the Washington Wizards.

In what seemed to be a non-contact leg injury, the former Kentucky star pulled up grabbing his right leg as he made his way back down the court.

Shortly after he exited the game, Towns was diagnosed with a right calf strain.

How long will Karl-Anthony Towns be out?

The Timberwolves announced Tuesday that an MRI exam confirmed the injury that will sideline Towns indefinitely, and he would be “reassessed in several weeks.”

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ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported later that Towns will be out for four-to-six weeks, with a potential return “sometime in January.”

How serious is a calf strain?

A calf strain can be pretty painful, and can limit the injured from running, jumping, and doing other activities, but can heal within three days. A severely pulled calf muscle, however, can result in partial or complete tears, which would take longer to heal.

Meanwhile, a torn calf muscle may require surgery, or a six-week full recovery, like in Towns’ case.

KAT’s Wolves sit tight

Losing their best player will certainly hurt KAT’s Wolves, who are sitting in 10th place in the Western Conference.

Through 21 games, Towns was averaging 20.8 points, 8.2 rebounds per game, 5.3 assists with 50.5% shooting from the field.

Minnesota hosts Memphis Wednesday night.