New York Knicks

The Minnesota Timberwolves announced on Tuesday that center Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) has been cleared for full-contact, 5-on-5 basketball activities and is progressing toward his return to play. Towns remains formally listed as out for Tuesday's matchup with the Washington Wizards, but it sounds like the 28-year-old All-Star big man is eyeing a return from March 12 left meniscus surgery as early as Wednesday's clash between two Western Conference heavyweights with the defending-champion Denver Nuggets. Naz Reid will have at least one more chance under the spotlight for the T-Wolves, averaging 18.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 3.2 three-pointers, and 2.5 combined steals plus blocks across his last 11 appearances (all starts) alongside Rudy Gobert in Minnesota's starting frontcourt. Washington is surrendering more DraftKings points to opposing power forwards than any other team in 2023-24.

Steve Popper of Newsday has "heard whispers that New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson would be open to discussions to do [an extension] this summer." Brunson signed a four-year, $104 million contract with New York back during the 2022 offseason, and the Knicks could look to lock up the 27-year-old All-Star floor general on another long-term deal ahead of his 2025-26 player option. Brunson has put the team on his back during his second season in the Big Apple, most recently averaging 33.0 points, 7.5 assists, 3.4 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 2.8 three-pointers across his latest 14 appearances. Next up for the superstar playmaker is a rigid draw against the Chicago Bulls, who allow the second-fewest FanDuel points to opposing point guards. If lockdown defender Alex Caruso (ankle) ends up missing a second straight game, however, it would be a major boon to Brunson's matchup outlook.

The Athletic's Shams Charania reports the Minnesota Timberwolves are optimistic that center Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) will play before the playoffs start. Towns participated in his first team scrimmage on Sunday since undergoing surgery to repair a torn left meniscus on March 12, and the West-leading T-Wolves hope the 28-year-old All-Star big man can ramp up his minutes ahead of the postseason. While Towns is set to be officially re-evaluated ahead of Tuesday's contest versus the Washington Wizards, he should still be considered doubtful for that one. Naz Reid is averaging 18.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 3.2 three-pointers, and 2.5 combined steals plus blocks over his last 11 games (all starts) and will continue starting alongside Rudy Gobert in Minnesota's frontcourt until Towns is ready to go. The Wizards are allowing more DraftKings points to opposing power forwards than any other this season.

New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (elbow) will play on Friday against Chicago. He's appeared in just three of the team's last 30 games, so there's a chance he'll be limited in his first game back from his most recent layoff. However, the 26-year-old should be on the floor enough to negatively impact the fantasy outlook of Miles McBride, who will head back to the bench for this one.

New York Knicks forward Josh Hart (wrist) is available for Friday's meeting in Chicago. He was listed as probable because of a sprained right wrist, so there wasn't any doubt regarding his availability for this one. The 29-year-old narrowly had a triple-double in Thursday's win over the Sacramento Kings, meaning he'll likely see plenty of attention from DFS managers.