Karl-Anthony Towns leads Knicks to blowout win over Timberwolves

On By Littum

MINNEAPOLIS — Julius Randle tried but failed miserably to hijack Karl-Anthony Towns’ big night.

With revenge clearly on his mind and a look of determination on his face, Randle came out aggressive and angry, dropping 15 points in the opening quarter.

But his start was more sizzling than steak as the Knicks, behind an emotional and efficient performance from Towns, dominated the final three quarters of a 133-107 annihilation.

For Thursday night and the first third of this season, the Knicks (17-10) won the trade.

Towns has been an extra, cementing his status as an East All-Star starter candidate with 32 points on 10-of-12 shooting, 20 boards and six assists.

Fellow Knicks newcomer Mikal Bridges added 29 points on 12-of-18 shooting from the field.

Karl-Anthony Towns put on a show for the Knicks in his first game back in Minnesota on Thursday night. Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn photos

The Knicks led by at least 20 points in the final 31 minutes when Tom Thibodeau, notoriously uncomfortable with big leads, emptied his bench with nine minutes left.

It was Randle’s first game against the Knicks since his contract extension went nowhere and he was traded to the Timberwolves for Towns.

A day before, Randle playfully sidestepped questions about facing his former team, an interview that demonstrated, if nothing else, his desire to disconnect from the Knicks despite five seasons with the franchise.

So on Thursday, Randle started with power moves and an angry yell at the Knicks bench after his trey.

He was grooving.

New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges (25) battles Mike Conley (10) for the paint in the first quarter at Target Center Thursday night. Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn photos

But everything changed in the second quarter.

OG Anunoby turned on Randle, causing a few turnovers and some ugly Timberwolves possessions.

The Knicks’ offense hit full stride and launched a 37-8 run to take full control.

Minnesota’s best defense in the second quarter came courtesy of arena security, who tackled two women in neon cheerleader outfits who tried to run onto the court.

You didn’t get past the first sideline.

Both were quickly arrested.

The half ended with a Knicks lead of 22 points, and the home crowd booed the Timberwolves (14-12).

Randle finished with 24 points, but just nine on 3-of-9 shooting after the opening quarter.

Karl-Anthony Towns from the New York Knicks celebrates during t
the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on December 19, 2024
at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NBAE via Getty Images

He immediately rushed to the locker room after the defeat, forgoing the postgame ritual of handshakes and hugs with the opponent.

The Knicks played without Josh Hart, who was not with the team at Target Center due to personal reasons.

They instead started Precious Achiuwa (13 points, 10 rebounds) at power forward and reinstated Jericho Sims (18 minutes, six points) in the backup rotation.

It was the first missed game of the season for any of the regular wing starters – Hart, Bridges and Anunoby.

Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks dribbles the ball under
the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on December 19,
2024 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NBAE via Getty Images

Still, the Knicks didn’t skip a beat.

They shot 51.5 percent, including 44.4 percent from beyond the arc.

Jalen Brunson struggled by his lofty standards — he scored 14 points with seven assists — but the Knicks didn’t need him.

Donte DiVincenzo, the other former Knick involved in Town’s trade, was a non-factor with 15 points in 25 minutes, with his status in Minnesota such that he played the entire garbage time.

For Towns, the night was one long winter wonderland lovefest.

The center returned to snowy Minnesota for two video tributes Thursday night — one before tip-off, another during the game — as Towns gushed about the “warm feeling” of stepping back into Target Center.

“I was here nine years. That’s a long time. I called this place home,” Towns said. “Being back here, being able to sleep in my house one more time, it was really a nostalgic feeling.”

Karl-Anthony Towns of the New York Knicks acknowledges the fans prior to the start of the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center on December 19, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Getty Images

Towns, who spent nine seasons with the Timberwolves after being drafted first overall in 2015, was appropriately greeted with 6 inches of snowfall but dismissed the idea that he would have trouble commuting to morning shoots.

“It’s a New York question. It’s not a Minnesota question,” Towns laughed. “Come on. I won’t answer that.”

“I just wanted to be my best in whatever NBA jersey I put on, but I especially wanted to be my best here in a Timberwolves jersey,” Towns added. “This place has given my family so much, not even from a financial aspect, but from a life aspect of the experiences we were able to have because of the organization and the things we were able to accomplish here. These are things you can never discredit, you can never lose love for. I continue to see Minnesota as a home for me.”

New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) celebrates with teammates after a timeout was called in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024, in Minneapolis. AP

It was a very different vibe from Randle, who came out with an ax to grind and left with a dull blade.

Towns left with a win and a celebration of his nine years in Minnesota.