Knicks Tear Timberwolves in Towns' Return

Karl-Anthony Towns and the New York Knicks rolled to an emotional, emphatic victory upon his return to Minnesota.

Dec 19, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; New York Knicks forward Karl-Anthony Towns (32) works around Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) in the first quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images / Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

Minnesota Timberwolves fans warmly welcomed back former franchise face Karl-Anthony Towns when he and the New York Knicks visited on Thursday night. The cheers quickly ceased after tip-off, signaling the start of a sterling evening for the metropolitan visitors.

The Knicks made another case to claim victory in the famous Towns deal negotiated late last offseason, as they mauled Minnesota by a 133-107 final at Target Center in the first showdown since the four-time All-Star set foot in Manhattan in exchange for Donte DiVincenzo and Julius Randle.

Towns put up another Minneapolis masterpiece, one that brought dread to Target Center visitors rather than the joy of the last nine seasons. In his 25th showing as a Knick, Towns needed less than a half to record yet another double-double, ending the game with 32 points (on 10-of-12 shooting, including a perfect 5-of-5 from three) and 20 rebounds.

Dec 19, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; New York Knicks forward Karl-Anthony Towns (32) works around Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) in the third quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images / Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

It was only appropriate that Towns, at or near the top of almost ever major statistical category in Timberwolves franchise history, would make more history in Minnesota: he became the first Knick to have at least 30 points and 20 rebounds in one game since Enes Kanter Freedom on Christmas Day in 2017 and the first New Yorker to tally 20 rebounds in consecutive games since Tyson Chandler in 2013.

With the win, the Knicks (17-10) improved to 12-4 in their past 16 and have also won four road games in a row.

Towns' fellow newcomer Mikal Bridges likewise had a sterling night, scoring 29 points on 12-of-18 from the field. Precious Achiuwa posted a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double as an emergency starter, stepping in for the missing Josh Hart (personal reasons). Miles McBride had 16 points and eight assists off the bench.

Randle, who immediately fled for the Timberwolves' locker room as time expired, seemed poised to steal on the show on Thursday by scoring 15 points in the opening period, which saw Minnesota lead by as much as seven. Part of that haul was earned with Jalen Brunson stuck on the bench after he endured a Naz Reid elbow to the face in the first quarter.

Once an Anthony Edwards drive created the Timberwolves' largest lead, the Knicks started their takeover with a 10-4 run over the final 96 seconds of the opening frame, narrowing the gap to one. The pushed ended when OG Anunoby turned a Randle turnover into a fastbreak that created a double just before the final tenth of a second ticked off the clock.

A Bridges and-one and Cameron Payne triple to open the second gave the Knicks a permanent lead, one that reached 20 fairly quickly. The second not only featured Towns securing his latest double-double early (scoring 18 points in the period) but also separate runs of 20 and eight unanswered en route to a final tally of 41-18. Minnesota (14-12) never got closer than 19 in the second half and their deficit, in fact, only fattened to as much as 36 before the Knicks showed mercy and emptied the bench.

Dec 19, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges (25) battles Mike Conley (10) to the paint in the first quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images / Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

Such a loss, penned to the soundtrack of boos from fans, stifled Minnesota momentum, as they entered the game as winners of all but one of their prior seven after an 8-10 start. Randle cooled down after his torrid start but still led the Wolves with 24 points while DiVincenzo scored 15 points and paced the team with six rebounds alongside Jaden McDaniels. The former metropolitan duo will make their return to Madison Square Garden on Jan. 17

In the meantime, the Knicks wrap up a three-game road trip over the weekend when they face the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night (8 p.m. ET, MSG).

Make sure you bookmark Knicks on SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!

• Scout: KAT, Knicks Offense Ahead of Schedule
• Sims Has Number Retired in Minneapolis
• Knicks Among NBA's Most Valuable Franchises
• Hubie Brown Set to Call Final Game
• Westchester Knicks to Defend In-Season Title