Karl-Anthony Towns leads Knicks to blowout win over Timberwolves

MINNEAPOLIS — Julius Randle tried to take over Karl-Anthony Towns' big night, but he failed miserably.

Randle, clearly with revenge in mind and a determined look on his face, was aggressive and angry, dropping 15 points in the first quarter.

But his start was hotter than Steak's as the Knicks dominated the final three quarters for a 133-107 victory behind Towns' emotional and effective performance.

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

Towns finished with 32 points on 10-of-12 shooting, 20 boards and six assists, solidifying his potential as an East All-Star starter.

Mikal Bridges, another Knicks rookie, added 29 points on 12-of-18 shooting from the field.

The Knicks led by at least 20 points in the final 31 minutes, and Tom Thibodeau, who is notorious for giving up big leads, came off the bench with nine minutes remaining.

It was Randle's first game with the Knicks since contract extension negotiations broke down and he was traded to the Timberwolves for Towns.

The day before, Randle playfully declined a question about playing against his former team, but in this interview, his desire to sever ties with the Knicks was clearest of all, despite spending five seasons with them. It became.

And on Thursday, Randle started off strong, yelling at the Knicks bench following the trey.

He was nodding.

But everything changed in the second quarter.

OG Anunoby turned on Randle, prompting several turnovers and an ugly Timberwolves possession.

The Knicks offense went all out and took full control, starting a 37-8 run.

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

One failed to make it past the first sideline.

Both were immediately arrested.

The first half ended with the Knicks leading by 22 points, and the home crowd booed the Timberwolves (14-12).

Randle scored 24 points, but was only 3-of-9 from the field after the first quarter.

After the loss, he immediately rushed to the locker room, ignoring the post-match ritual of shaking hands and hugging his opponents.

The Knicks were playing without Josh Hart, who was not with the team at Target Center for personal reasons.

Instead, Precious Achiuwa (13 points, 10 rebounds) started at power forward and Jericho Sims (18 minutes, 6 points) was reinserted into the reserve rotation.

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

Still, the Knicks never took a break.

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

Jalen Brunson struggled at a high level, scoring 14 points and dishing out seven assists, but the Knicks didn't need him.

Donte DiVincenzo, another former Knick involved in the Towns trade, had no impact with 15 points in 25 minutes, including playing throughout garbage time due to his status in Minnesota.

For Towns, that night was a love fest in the land of long winters.

On Thursday night, the center returned to snowy Minnesota and released two memorial videos, one before tipoff and one during the game, as Towns smiled at the “warm feeling” he felt returning to Target Center. ) was unveiled.

“I've been here nine years. That's a long time. I called this place home,” Towns said. “It felt really nostalgic to be back here and sleep at home again.”

Towns, who spent nine seasons with the Timberwolves after being drafted No. 1 overall in 2015, was caught in 6 inches of snow, but dismissed the idea that he would have a hard time getting to morning shootarounds.

“That's a New York question. That's not a Minnesota question,” Towns laughed. “Come. I'm not going to answer that.”

“I wanted to look my best in any NBA jersey, but I especially wanted to look my best here in a Timberwolves jersey,” Towns added. “This place has given my family so much, not only financially, but also in terms of life, including the experiences we have had and what we have been able to accomplish here thanks to the organization. You can never discredit and you can never lose love. I continue to consider Minnesota home.”

The atmosphere was very different from Randall, who came out with an ax and left with a dull blade.

Towns left with a win and celebrating nine years in Minnesota.