MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Timberwolves faced off against the New York Knicks at the Target Center on Thursday night, resulting in a disappointing loss for the home team, with the final score reading 133-107. This game marked the first time the Timberwolves met their former star, Karl-Anthony Towns, since his trade to New York earlier this season.
Towns put on quite the show, recording 32 points and 20 rebounds, dominating his former team and leading the Knicks to their 12th win in their last 16 games. Mikal Bridges contributed with 29 points, helping the Knicks build as much as a 36-point lead during the game. The Timberwolves were without answers for Towns, who was showered with applause upon his return to Minnesota, complete with a tribute video acknowledging his nine seasons with the franchise.
Energized by the support, Towns wasted no time making his presence felt. His performance was marked by efficiency, shooting 10-for-12 from the field and 5-for-5 from three-point range. The most impactful moment came midway through the third quarter when Towns seized a rebound, initiated a fast break, and capped it off with his fifth three-pointer, registering his highest points in any quarter this season with 19.
On the Timberwolves' side, Julius Randle managed to score 24 points, but the team fell short. A troubling second quarter, where they were outscored 37-8 by the Knicks, proved to be decisive. After the game, Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards did not hold back during the post-game media session, expressing disappointment with his team’s offensive output.
"We don’t have s**t on offense. We don’t have no identity. We know I'm gonna shoot a bunch of shots, we know Ju gonna shoot a bunch of shots and that's all we know," said Edwards, clearly frustrated. He added, "It's not on the coaches at all. It's on us. We're out there playing." Edwards finished the night with 17 points, contributing five rebounds, seven assists, three steals, and one block.
Despite Edwards’ passionate words, the Timberwolves were left grappling with their performance. The loss dropped their record to 14-12, positioning them eighth in the Western Conference standings. Coach Chris Finch reflected on the emotional nature of the game, indicating it had as much weight for the Timberwolves as it did for Towns.
The trade of Towns to New York occurred just before training camp and involved sending Randle and shooting guard Donte DiVincenzo to Minnesota. Fans are now questioning the decision, particularly after Towns showcased his capabilities with the Knicks, drawing ridicule from social media users. One fan commented on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "Wolves with the dumbest trade ever. Looks like they were holding KAT back." Another remarked, "I'll never understand why the Minnesota Timberwolves decided to trade KAT to New York. KAT wasn't the problem." These reactions underline the public's belief the Timberwolves misjudged the situation.
Despite their recent woes, Finch acknowledged Towns’ remarkable performance leading up to this game, describing him as "a cheat code" due to his versatility. Finch stated, "It's definitely, definitely, definitely a driver of great offense" when discussing Towns' impact on games, pointing out how he can score at all levels and distort defenses.
After the game, the Knicks looked forward to their next challenge against the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves prepare to host the Golden State Warriors, led by Steph Curry, hoping to recover quickly from this setback.
Before Thursday’s matchup, the Timberwolves held momentum, winning six of their last seven games, but the Knicks’ offensive onslaught served as a harsh reminder of the challenges the Timberwolves will need to overcome to reclaim their competitive edge this season.
With the stakes continuing to rise, fans will closely watch how the Timberwolves adapt without Towns, who has emerged as a powerhouse with the Knicks, contrasting the Timberwolves’ lack of identity as they strive to return to form following their successful prior season.
