Karl-Anthony Towns Shines in Return, but Julius Randle, Timberwolves Steal the Show Late
MINNEAPOLIS - For Karl-Anthony Towns, stepping back into Target Center will always feel like coming home. The crowd made sure he felt that way, greeting him with a warm ovation before tip-off. And for much of the night, Towns gave them plenty to cheer about.
But as the game wore on, the cheers shifted - this time for Julius Randle, who put the Timberwolves on his back in the fourth quarter and powered them to a 115-104 win over a shorthanded Knicks squad.
Towns was electric, dropping a season-high 40 points in his return to Minnesota. He came out aggressive, knowing the Knicks were down two key starters - Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby - both sidelined back in New York for rest and rehab. With the team short-handed, Towns carried the load and looked every bit the All-Star he’s been throughout his career.
“I knew the ball would find me more today,” Towns said postgame. “I just wanted to impact winning.
I didn’t do enough. This one’s going to sting on the flight home.”
Despite Towns’ monster night, it was Randle who owned the fourth quarter. The former Knick erupted for 17 of his 25 points in the final frame, attacking the paint with force and finesse. He bullied his way to the rim, flexed after big buckets, and gave the home crowd plenty of reason to rise to their feet.
Anthony Edwards added 38 points of his own, continuing his ascent as one of the league’s premier young scorers. With Randle and Edwards both clicking, the Timberwolves simply had too much firepower for a Knicks team that was missing nearly half of its starting lineup.
Towns fouled out with 34.9 seconds left, but before heading to the bench, he made sure to embrace Edwards - the young star he still calls his “little brother.” The crowd gave Towns another ovation, bookending a night that was as emotional as it was competitive.
“It’s always good to be appreciated,” Towns said. “I left my heart and soul here. For the fans to still show that love, even after two seasons away, it means a lot.”
For the Knicks, there were bright spots despite the loss. Rookie Tyler Kolek, starting in place of Brunson, turned in a career night - 20 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists.
Josh Hart nearly matched him with 12 points, 15 boards, and eight dimes of his own. But missing two core pieces proved to be too big a hurdle.
New York showed fight, clawing back from a 16-point deficit to briefly take the lead in the third quarter. Towns helped spark that run - drawing a foul on Rudy Gobert and sinking all three free throws, then knocking down a three to cut the lead to two. He later found Ariel Hukporti for a bucket that tied the game at 67.
But the Timberwolves responded. Randle’s fourth-quarter takeover started as the Knicks tried to trap Edwards, only to see Randle take advantage of the extra space. He went straight at the defense, using his strength and footwork to create separation and finish through contact.
“He was just aggressive,” Timberwolves coach Mike Brown said. “We blitzed Edwards, and Randle made us pay.
He used everything - strength, quickness, footwork - to get to his spots. He’s tough to stop when he gets rolling like that.”
Early on, Towns looked out of rhythm - missing a three, air-balling a drive, and committing a turnover all within the first few minutes. But like he’s done so many times before in this building, he found his groove fast. By halftime, he had 24 points on 9-of-13 shooting, including 14 in the first quarter alone.
The Knicks experimented with some unconventional lineups due to their depleted roster. At one point in the second quarter, they rolled out a group featuring Kolek, Mo Diawara, Ariel Hukporti, Mitchell Robinson, and Hart. Later, Pacome Dadiet checked in to give them another look.
Despite the patchwork rotations, the Knicks kept it close. Jordan Clarkson’s three trimmed the deficit to one late in the second quarter, but a quick burst from Minnesota - including a Donte DiVincenzo triple and a Rudy Gobert putback - gave the Timberwolves a 58-52 edge at the break.
Things got chippy in the third. After a scramble under the basket, Gobert and Hart got tangled up.
As Gobert headed upcourt, Hart gave a shove to his leg and then to his chest. After a review, Hart was hit with a flagrant foul.
Gobert knocked down both free throws, but Diawara answered with a three. Jaylen Clark then capped the quarter with a buzzer-beating triple to give Minnesota an 85-79 lead heading into the final 12 minutes.
From there, it was Randle’s show.
The Knicks fought, but without Brunson’s shot creation and Anunoby’s two-way presence, the margin for error was razor thin. Towns did everything he could, but in the end, it wasn’t enough.
For Minnesota, it was a statement win. For Towns, it was a reminder of the bond he still shares with the city that drafted him. And for the Knicks, it was a night that showed grit - even in defeat.