Karl-Anthony Towns is preparing for an emotional return to the Target Center on Thursday, his first visit since being traded to the New York Knicks this past offseason. The former Timberwolves cornerstone reflected on his nine years in Minnesota, where he left a lasting mark on the franchise.
Towns, who was traded for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo in October, spoke candidly about his connection to the city and the team. “I gave them all of me mentally, physically, spiritually. I was there nine years, so I go there with a lot of pride and joy for the memories that I have,” Towns told The New York Post’s Stefan Bondy.
The Knicks, currently fourth in the Eastern Conference at 16-10, have thrived with Towns leading the charge. He is averaging 24.8 points, 13.9 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game while logging his most minutes since 2018.
Despite the success, Towns admitted uncertainty about how the Minnesota crowd will greet him. “I don’t know how they will embrace me. But I know every single day I put on that Timberwolves jersey, I gave the absolute best of me,” he said.
His departure from Minnesota was more about salary cap concerns than performance. Towns helped lead the Timberwolves to multiple playoff appearances and became No. 2 in franchise history in points, rebounds, and blocks, trailing only Kevin Garnett.
The Timberwolves, now seventh in the West with a 14-11 record, have started to gain momentum after a slow start to the season. Randle and DiVincenzo’s arrival has provided mixed results, with Randle averaging 20.1 points on 48% shooting while DiVincenzo struggles at 35% from the field.
Thursday’s matchup adds another layer of intrigue as both teams fight for position in their respective conferences. Towns remains focused on the game, brushing aside distractions. “We’ve got a win to get, so I better handle it accordingly,” he said.
Towns also reflected on his offseason preparation, which unexpectedly positioned him for a new role in New York. “What you’re seeing now is a lot of hours in the summer I put in. Instead of having fun, I was in the gym working on my body, working on my game, working on my cardio,” Towns explained.
The 29-year-old’s dedication is showing on the court, where his rebounding and scoring have been crucial for the Knicks. He remains on pace for his fifth All-Star selection and potentially his first start.
The Timberwolves are expected to honor Towns’ contributions with a video tribute during the game. While his nine-year tenure included its share of struggles, Towns played a pivotal role in Minnesota’s recent resurgence.
