The Wolves are patiently waiting to find out their Western Conference Finals opponent. In the meantime, Karl-Anthony Tows is trying to take down the defending champions for a conference finals berth of his own.
While Wolves Nation catches its collective breath ahead of Sunday’s Game 7 death match between Denver and OKC—a game that will determine Minnesota’s opponent in the Western Conference Finals—there’s another juicy playoff chapter playing out on the other side of the NBA bracket.
Celtics vs. Knicks. Game 6. Madison Square Garden.
If you’re not watching this series, you don’t love basketball. You’re missing one of the weirdest, most compelling series we’ve had in a long time. This thing has had more momentum swings than a Paul Thomas Anderson movie. It’s been part psychological thriller, part survival horror, with a little “Ghost of Christmas Past” sprinkled in thanks to the presence of one Karl-Anthony Towns now donning Knicks orange and blue and one win away from the Eastern Conference Finals.
Let’s set the stage.
The Knicks punched Boston in the mouth in Games 1 and 2, stealing not one but two 20-point comebacks in the TD Garden. The first time it happened, it felt like a fluke. A “wow, the Celtics really took their foot off the gas” kind of night. But then Game 2 happened—and it started to feel less like an accident and more like a pattern. Suddenly, Tom Thibodeau’s team looked like a basketball version of Jason from Friday the 13th. You could chop ‘em down, burn ‘em, bury ‘em—and they’d just rise back up, grab an offensive rebound, and kick out to Jalen Brunson for a back-breaking three.
But then came Game 3. Boston responded with a full-on, bodybag performance. They led by 30+, sent a message, and reminded everyone why they won the title last year. Game 4? A different horror. The Celtics were cruising with a 14-point lead… until disaster struck. Not just the collapse. Not just another blown second-half lead. But the moment—when Jayson Tatum’s Achilles tendon snapped like a bungee cord at a discount amusement park.
Suddenly, the defending champs were down 3–1, and their best player—a guy who’s probably one of the seven best players on Earth—was done for the year. All hope looked lost.
But to their credit, Boston pulled a Rocky Balboa. Game 5 in Boston was a pride game. No Tatum. No excuses. Jaylen Brown came out looking like the version of himself Celtics fans have been begging for. And Luke freaking Kornet channeled Bill Walton. They smacked the Knicks. And now, we’re headed to Game 6 in MSG with the Knicks holding the upper hand, but the pressure barometer nearing Knicks-level catastrophe.
Here’s why this matters for Timberwolves fans.
First, the KAT Factor
This is complicated.
Karl-Anthony Towns spent almost a decade in Minnesota. He arrived as the No. 1 pick, a baby-faced savior with a silky jumper and a 7-foot frame. And yeah, the journey was rocky. He had to deal with some weird teammates, four coaching changes, and more Jimmy Butler-related drama than should be legally allowed. But the dude stayed loyal. He said the right things. He never forced his way out.
So now that he’s in New York—back near home, playing a vital role on a fun, scrappy, throwback Knicks team—it’s hard not to root for him. Especially when you see him finally getting a moment like this. He’s been a grown-up. He’s playing in huge games. And if the Knicks win tonight, he’ll be four wins from the NBA Finals.
If you love KAT, tonight’s your night. Pull out your #32 Purple Rain jersey and ride the Garden wave with him. He deserves it.
Then Again… There’s a Tatum-less Path to the Trophy
Now, let me introduce the devil on your shoulder.
If you’re a Timberwolves fan dreaming of the Larry O’Brien trophy in June, the best-case Finals matchup is not against a healthy Knicks squad that just knocked out the defending champs. It’s against the Celtics. The Celtics… without Jayson Tatum.
I know, I know. You never want to hope for injuries. But in sports, windows matter. Timing matters. And if the Wolves manage to get through OKC or Denver—and face a Celtics team missing half of their dynamic duo—are you really telling me you wouldn’t feel good about Minnesota’s chances?
Ant and Randle vs. a Celtics squad trying to manufacture crunch-time buckets through Payton Pritchard isolations? Sign me up.
Yes, Boston is still dangerous. They have the pedigree, the system, and a core that’s been through the playoff blender more times than we can count. But make no mistake—losing Tatum knocked them down a tier. Suddenly, this team isn’t the juggernaut. It’s the scrappy underdog trying to channel “Ewing Theory” magic.
And as Wolves fans, you kind of want them to pull it off.
Because if they make it to the Finals? You might just be favored.
What to Root For?
So who you got tonight?
Team KAT? Rooting for the feel-good comeback arc of a former franchise cornerstone finally having his playoff moment on the biggest stage in basketball?
Or Team Chaos? Secretly hoping the Celtics extend this thing, claw their way to the Finals, and show up there as a severely wounded version of themselves—ripe for the picking by a Wolves team that looks more dangerous by the day?
There’s no wrong answer. Just playoff theater.
So grab your popcorn. Settle in. Watch Game 6. Whether it’s KAT cooking in the Garden or Boston setting up one more do-or-die Game 7, it’s must-see TV. The Wolves are four wins from the Finals, and the road ahead is forming. Every second matters now.
Enjoy the ride.