Butler returns to score 21 points, Wolves beat Nets

Brooklyn Nets center Tyler Zeller (44) fouls Minnesota Timberwolves guard Jimmy Butler (23) in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018, in Minneapolis. AP

MINNEAPOLIS — Jimmy Butler scored 21 points in his return to the lineup, Karl-Anthony Towns had 16 points and 19 rebounds for his NBA-leading 43rd double-double and the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Brooklyn Nets 111-97 on Saturday (Sunday Manila time).

Butler added six rebounds and five assists after missing four games with right knee soreness. Andrew Wiggins scored 21 points, and Jamal Crawford added 16 to help Minnesota snap a two-game skid.

Jahlil Okafor scored 21 points, and Nick Stauskas added 15 for a short-handed Brooklyn squad that has lost six of eight games. Nets coach Kenny Atkinson was ejected in the fourth quarter after coming out on the court to argue a call. Players and coaches had to restrain the enraged Atkinson.

After a lopsided loss in Milwaukee on Friday night, Brooklyn struggled mightily in the first quarter. The Nets shot 33.3 percent and had nine turnovers in the quarter. The Wolves built the lead to 26 early in the second before Brooklyn found some footing with its reserves in Okafor and Stauskas.

The lead would close to five early in the third before Towns made his impact.

Towns, who was elected to his first All-Star game, was scoreless until 3:46 in the first half. He attacked the offensive glass, grabbing a career-high nine offensive rebounds. He had eight points in the third as Minnesota quickly countered Brooklyn’s run.

TIP-INS

Nets: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (right groin strain) and Caris Levert (sore left groin) were out of the lineup for Brooklyn. Hollis-Jefferson was injured in Friday’s game in Milwaukee and coach Kenny Atkinson wasn’t sure if he will return for the next game. Levert was a late scatch. … D’Angelo Russell was also held out for the second game of the back-to-back with the team managing his return from knee surgery. … G Isaiah Whitehead was recalled from the Long Island Nets of the G League earlier in the day. … Stauskas scored double-figures for the fourth time this season and the first time since he had 21 points on Dec. 27.

Timberwolves: Butler has missed six games for Minnesota this season. The Wolves are 2-4 without Butler in the lineup. … Minnesota has lost back-to-back games six times this season, but hasn’t had a three-game losing streak. … The 11 points allowed in the first was the fewest by Minnesota this season and the 30-11 advantage was the largest lead after the first this season.