The Minnesota Timberwolves announced that forward/center Karl-Anthony Towns, who has been out since March 4 with a lateral meniscus tear in his left knee, has been "cleared for full-contact, 5-on-5 basketball activities and is progressing toward his return to play."

The 28-year-old Towns has averaged 22.1 points (50.6 percent shooting), 8.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 60 games. He is a four-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA Third Team member.

Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic reported on the Pat McAfee Show on April 2 that there was "optimism" Towns could return before the playoffs.

The 54-24 Timberwolves, who are tied for first in the Western Conference with the Denver Nuggets, have four regular-season games remaining, with the last one going down on Sunday versus the Phoenix Suns.

So Towns doesn't have much time to return before the playoffs, which will start for Minnesota on either April 20 or 21.

However, the fact that Towns has been cleared for full-contact and five-on-five activities is a great sign, obviously. So is the fact that Towns appeared at practice and seemed to be in "good spirits," per KSTP-TV Channel 5:

Towns' arrival seems to be on the horizon. For now, though, Minnesota awaits his return as the team finishes the regular season. A home date with the 15-64 Washington Wizards is up next on Tuesday.