The Minnesota Timberwolves could be without their franchise star Karl-Anthony Towns for “multiple games,” according to Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic. Towns has been the Wolves' best weapon on offense, averaging 26.5 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 4.4 assists in a new leading role.

He's also been the team's 3-point shooter, canning 3.6 trifectas per game at a 41.8% clip.

Towns' sprained knee could persist, forcing the Wolves to take the careful approach and ensure he has fully recovered before trotting him out on the court again. His absence represents a loss of not only the team's best inside presence but also the most accurate marksman Minnesota possesses, as well as an improved playmaker.

The Wolves have lost eight in a row after falling to the struggling New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday, who snapped a 13-game losing skid with last night's win.

“It’s heavy,” head coach Ryan Saunders said after the Wolves' 107-99 loss. “When you lose games, it’s heavy. Especially on a streak. But I liked what we did the last couple days in practice. I know we felt good about those things. They didn’t translate tonight.”

Minnesota could have a lot of other losses in its near future, especially if Karl-Anthony Towns misses multiple games. The team will go on a four-game road trip next, facing the Denver Nuggets, Portland Trail Blazers, Golden State Warriors, and finishing on Dec. 26 with the Sacramento Kings before returning home to play the last two games of the calendar year in The Twin Cities.