The NBA today named Minnesota Timberwolves forward/center Karl-Anthony Towns as its Kia NBA Western Conference Rookie of the month for January. This is the third consecutive month Towns has won the award, joining Andrew Wiggins (November, December 2014, January, February 2015) as the second player in Wolves history to earn Kia NBA Rookie of the Month honors in three consecutive months.
Towns led all qualified rookies in rebounding (10.9 rpg), blocked shots (1.63 bpg) and free throw percentage (87.2%), while ranking 2nd in minutes played (31.2 mpg) and 3rd in scoring (16.9 ppg) and field goal percentage (53.5%) in January. The 7-0 forward/center also contributed nine point/rebound double-doubles during the month, tops among all rookies and 6th league-wide. Towns finished the month strong by compiling five 20/10 games in the last seven contests, averaging 22.7 ppg, on 61.1% shooting, 12.6 rpg, 2.9 apg and 2.29 bpg over that stretch.
The first overall selection in the 2015 NBA Draft, Towns tallied 27 points, 16 rebounds and six blocks Jan. 20 at Dallas. He recorded a game-high 26 points, 11 rebounds and a season-high four assists Jan. 25 at Cleveland, then set a new season best with five assists, along with 19 points and 13 rebounds Jan. 27 vs. Oklahoma City. Towns punctuated the month by scoring a season-high 32 points, on 13-for-17 shooting, with 12 rebounds Jan. 29 at Utah, becoming the youngest player to post a 30/10 game since Kevin Durant in December 2008.
[Source: Minnesota Timberwolves press release]
