Karl-Anthony Towns Returns to Minnesota, Drops 40 in Emotional Homecoming
Fourteen months after the blockbuster trade that sent him from the Timberwolves to the Knicks, Karl-Anthony Towns made his second return to the Target Center-and it was nothing short of emotional. The former face of the Wolves franchise poured in 40 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in 35 minutes, but the Knicks came up short, falling 115-104 to a surging Minnesota squad. Still, the final score wasn’t the story of the night.
With just under 35 seconds left and the game out of reach, Knicks head coach Mike Brown subbed Towns out. As he walked to the bench, the crowd in Minneapolis rose to its feet, delivering a standing ovation that said everything about the connection between Towns and this city. It wasn’t just applause-it was appreciation, respect, and maybe a little nostalgia all wrapped into one.
After the game, Towns opened up about what the moment meant to him. “It’s always good to be appreciated,” he said.
“There’s nothing more valuable in this league and in this job than to be respected. I left my heart and soul here in Minnesota.
For the fans-even after two seasons away-to respect me the way they do, to think of me highly, and to appreciate what I left on the court, it means a lot. It really means a lot.”
That kind of honesty isn’t uncommon from Towns, who wore his heart on his sleeve throughout his tenure in Minnesota. Earlier in the day, during the Knicks’ morning shootaround, he reflected on what it’s been like adjusting to life post-trade.
KAT with Julius, Ant, Conley, Gobert, and long ovation in Target Center pic.twitter.com/RG7P2Erpsc
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) December 24, 2025
“You could be at peace with [the trade], but it still stings when you're not walking in this locker room, coming to this amazing state, city, and realize you're not going to the training facility anymore ... and now you're in a hotel,” he said. “I think it hits different."
And it’s clear that the trade has hit differently for both franchises-in a good way.
Since the October 2024 deal, both the Knicks and Timberwolves have reaped the rewards. Towns has thrived in New York alongside Jalen Brunson, helping the Knicks reach the Eastern Conference Finals last season for the first time since 2000. His ability to stretch the floor, create mismatches, and take over games-as he did again in his return to Minnesota-has been a game-changer for a Knicks team hungry for postseason relevance.
On the other side of the deal, Minnesota hasn’t missed a beat. The Wolves brought in Donte DiVincenzo and Julius Randle in the trade, and the pairing has helped fuel back-to-back Western Conference Finals appearances-the first time in franchise history they’ve done that. Randle has brought a physical edge and scoring punch, while DiVincenzo’s two-way play has added depth and versatility to a team that’s finally found its identity.
So, while Towns may no longer call Minnesota home, his legacy here is secure-and the emotions on display Tuesday night were a testament to that. It was a reminder that in the business of basketball, some bonds run deeper than the box score. And even when the jerseys change, the respect remains.