5 Western Conference players who deserve to be in the NBA Playoffs

#4 Karl-Anthony Towns

Karl Anthony-Towns is averaging a career-best in points

Before suffering a wrist injury that will leave him out for two weeks, Karl-Anthony Towns was having the best season of his career (stat-wise). Towns is averaging a career-high in points with 26.5 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 4.4 assists (another career-high). While Towns has played only 35 games this season (compared to not missing a game in his first three seasons), what he's done when on the court has been impressive.

The Timberwolves are on their way to another lottery pick, as they have a record of 17-40, but not all hope is lost. They traded for one of Town's best friends in D'Angelo Russell and picked up Malik Beasley, who has played well since his arrival in Minnesota. Towns is out for a few weeks but will hopefully return before the end of the season.

Towns and the Timberwolves have only made the playoffs once in his career, but what he's done this season (and could do more if healthy) is noteworthy and shows he deserves to be in the playoffs.

---

#3 Buddy Hield

Buddy Hield is averaging 20.1 points this season

Buddy Hield is a player that not everyone may be familiar with, but his game cannot be ignored. He is a talented shooting guard who can score and shoot (from deep) with ease.

Hield averages 20.1 points per game this season, which is only 0.6 points away from his career-best 20.7. Hield has played 57 games this season but has started in 44 of them. There are times where he came off the bench, including a game against the Spurs, where he scored 31 points off the bench earlier this month.

He also had 42 points while making nine three-pointers in an overtime win over the Timberwolves in January. He dedicated the game to his idol Kobe Bryant, who sadly passed away the day before.

Hield scored 20 of his points in the fourth quarter while shooting 6-for-6 from the field. It was an excellent performance that shows what the young guard is capable of.

The Kings will most likely miss the playoffs this season, but regardless Hield manages to give it his all when he's on the court.