MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Karl-Anthony Towns made a triumphant return to Minnesota, recording a historic performance of 32 points and 20 rebounds as the New York Knicks crushed the Timberwolves 133-107 on Thursday night.
Towns, playing his first game in Minnesota since being traded to New York before training camp, became the first player in NBA history to record 30 points, 20 rebounds, five 3-pointers and shoot 80% from the field in a single game. He went 10-for-12 from the floor.
“What could you say? It was just a monster game,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said.
The emotional night began with Towns arriving early for morning shootaround, taking extra time to process playing against the team he spent his first nine NBA seasons with.
“All these moments that I’ve been blessed to have here in a Timberwolves jersey, it meant a lot that I was given the chance,” Towns said after the game.
The Target Center crowd welcomed their former star with a roaring ovation during warmups, and Towns acknowledged fans after watching a two-minute tribute video from the bench.
Even Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards praised his former teammate’s performance. “I was super happy for him, man. That’s everything you dream of. Get traded, come back, beat your team by 30,” Edwards said. “I’m mad that we lost, but on the inside we’re super happy for him.”
The Knicks (17-10) dominated from the start, particularly in the second quarter when they outscored Minnesota 37-8 in the first nine minutes. Julius Randle, who came to Minnesota in the Towns trade, scored 24 points for the Timberwolves (14-12), including 15 in the first quarter.
Towns has thrived since joining the Knicks, leading the league in rebounding and averaging nearly 25 points, his highest scoring output in four years. The trade has benefited New York, which has won 12 of its last 16 games and sits third in the Eastern Conference.
Edwards struggled against his former teammate, shooting 7-for-16 for 17 points with seven assists.
“You know this game wasn’t just another game,” Towns said. “If anyone told you otherwise, that’s a lie.”
