After the Timberwolves’ loss to Denver on Wednesday, which likely cost them the No. 1 seed in the NBA Western Conference playoffs, players discussed ways in which perhaps Karl-Anthony Towns could make a difference in future matchups with the Nuggets.

Because, as Denver coach Mike Malone said postgame, “I have a feeling that we’re probably going to see that team again in the playoffs.”

“I think he helps a lot. They really hurt us on the glass, and it’s a team effort,” Wolves center Rudy Gobert told reporters. “Even if I’m doing my best boxing out, sometimes the cutting in the back or they’re getting some of those boards that really hurt us today. And also on the free-throw line too. I think having KAT, who is a really good rebounder and has a lot of size, would’ve really helped.”

He also takes some pressure off Anthony Edwards’ shoulders as far as being a No. 1 scoring option.

“A lot of credit to Anthony, because the pressure and the attention on him went up, and for the most part I thought he did a really good job of getting off the ball, using his gravity to create offense for his teammates. And now we have another person that draws that type of attention,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch told reporters. “KAT gives us another big body out there, for sure — some shooting. We always miss KAT. I don’t think that’s ever in doubt.”

And they’re about to get him back. Everything suggests Towns will return to action this weekend at Target Center — either Friday against Atlanta or, at the latest, Sunday in the regular-season finale against Phoenix.

Towns’ return instantly makes Minnesota’s roster more talented. The big man returns to a team that has played well in his absence. The Wolves are 12-6 in the 18 games since Towns went down with his torn meniscus. Over their last 18 games, the Wolves sports the NBA’s eighth-best offense, fourth-best defense and fourth-best net rating

The offense is what has surged over the past month, which is a bit of a surprise when you lose your second-best scorer. But Minnesota has found a true offensive rhythm in Towns’ absence, one founded upon ample ball and player movement. That has sparked more aggression and production from the likes of Jaden McDaniels, Mike Conley, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Kyle Anderson and Naz Reid as the Wolves have formed a well-rounded offensive attack.

“I think him being out has allowed everyone to step up and play and have roles and get going for the postseason. I think the postseason definitely shows — and my career is a testament to that — that you never know what you might need. And just being able to be available and be providing, guys stepping up big, it’s good to get their game reps now,” Alexander-Walker said. “Guys like J-Mac have been huge since Karl has been out — Monte, myself, Naz and what he’s doing in his role. So I think adding Karl will be a huge help for us, make us more of a threat to make a deeper run.”

The key now for Minnesota is to maintain its rhythmic, equal-opportunity offense while incorporating Towns back into the lineup. The Wolves’ offense was static for much of the season, never quite delivering the results to match up with the talent.

That issue has been resolved over the past month. Can that continue with Towns — who, for all of his abilities, has been known to hold the ball for too long on occasion — back on the court?

“Obviously he’s extremely talented. We need him to be a very good version of himself, but also I think there are certainly some things that we’ve figured out in the last couple of weeks that we’re going to need him to kinda lean into as well,” Finch said. “It might be slightly different than the rhythm in which we were playing before he left. So there is a few things there, but we’ve already talked about some of that stuff. He’s actually seen it before we even talked about it. He was the first to kinda bring it up, some of the things that he’s noticed, which has been great. So yeah, that’s one more reason we’re excited and hopeful to have him out there soon. We can get to work on that.”

That’s why Towns returning prior to the playoffs is so valuable for the Wolves. He can knock off rust and Minnesota can work out kinks before it is truly showtime. And, with the No. 1 seed likely out of reach, that can all be done under slightly less pressure.

Because as Finch noted, there will be hiccups along the way. Reintegration is rarely seamless. But given the current date on the calendar, things need to take shape quickly. Even if Minnesota’s ceiling is higher with Towns, the Wolves can’t afford even one step backward before leaping in the right direction.

“KAT’s gotta really kinda lean into just making that easy, quick play. We’ve seen how teammates … everyone is benefiting from it and they’re stepping up. And hopefully, Ant can benefit from the gravity of KAT, and vice versa,” Finch said. “And that we didn’t always have during the regular season. So hopefully now we see it and we believe in it a little bit more.”

“Offensively, yeah, just bringing his unique talent that we miss. That’s gonna be great for us,” Gobert said. “But also spacing for his teammates. Keep the offense flowing like it’s been flowing. And you add his talent to that offense, it can be pretty special.”

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