Minnesota Timberwolves' star center Karl-Anthony Towns is inching closer to his long-awaited return to the court after being cleared for full-contact activity, according to sources familiar with the matter. However, Towns is unlikely to make his comeback on Wednesday night when the Timberwolves face off against the Denver Nuggets, with a possible return this weekend.

Towns has been sidelined since March 4 due to a meniscus tear in his left knee, which forced him to undergo surgery for the injury four weeks ago. Despite the setback, the 25-year-old big man's recovery has progressed positively, leading to his recent clearance for full-contact, 5-on-5 basketball activities, as announced by the team on Tuesday.

Prior to his injury, Towns had been enjoying a remarkable season, averaging 22.1 points and 8.4 rebounds per game while shooting an impressive 50.6% from the field and 42.3% from beyond the arc. The Wolves have managed to sustain a respectable record of 11 wins and 5 losses during Towns' absence, a testament to the team's resilience and adaptability.

The Timberwolves' clash with the Nuggets has significant implications as it could potentially decide the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. Towns' absence on Wednesday night will be palpable, and the team will need to rely on the collective efforts of players like Anthony Edwards and D'Angelo Russell to secure the crucial victory.

While Towns' return is not expected until this weekend, the Timberwolves are hopeful that he will be available for their upcoming home games against the Atlanta Hawks on Friday and the Phoenix Suns on Sunday. The star center's presence would undoubtedly provide a significant boost to the team's chances of securing victories against these formidable opponents.

As Towns continues to progress towards his return, the Timberwolves and their fans eagerly await the day when their star center can once again take to the court and showcase his exceptional skills. Until then, the team will be focused on maintaining their momentum and making the most of their remaining games before Towns' highly anticipated comeback.

In the meantime, Karl-Anthony Towns' imminent return brings renewed hope to the Timberwolves' playoff aspirations as they aim to secure their position in the highly competitive Western Conference.