League not ready to vote on changes

As the NBA continues to consider dramatic changes to the league calendar, it no longer plans to stage an owners vote in April on a formal plan, league sources told ESPN.

The NBA informed its teams Friday that it wants to continue studying and discussing the three significant items, including an in-season tournament, a play-in tournament and the reseeding of the conference finalists, sources said. The NBA had hoped to have the two-thirds majority needed to make these changes for the 2021-22 season — the league’s 75th anniversary — and still hopes, despite no April vote, that might happen, sources said.

The NBA has been discussing variations of these ideas with teams, the NBPA and television partners, and will continue to do so with hopes of making a presentation to the board of governors in three months.

Timberwolves

Karl-Anthony Towns returned to the starting lineup for Minnesota in a 116-114 loss to the Indiana Pacers after missing 15 games with sprained left knee. Coach Ryan Saunders told reporters before the game the two-time All-Star will be on a minutes restriction because of his prolonged absence. Team officials also plan to closely monitor Towns for fatigue. Towns played 28 minutes, posting 27 points and five rebounds in the loss. Minnesota went 5-10 without Towns.

Lakers

Los Angeles will begin the second half of their schedule Saturday against the Houston Rockets and hope to have both halves of their big two in the lineup. Anthony Davis, out the past four games after taking a hard foul on his backside against the New York Knicks, did not practice with the team Friday and is listed as questionable for the Rockets game. Davis did go through an individual workout on the court after practice, however, mixing in light sprinting and spot shooting in a fullcourt drill with several members of the Lakers coaching staff. The eight-year veteran is expected to make his decision to return Saturday based on how he responds to his pregame workout, a league source told ESPN.