Towns still shocked by trade as Knicks rout Timberwolves
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NEW YORK — One year after a blockbuster deal sent Karl-Anthony Towns from Minnesota to New York, the three-time All-Star admits the move still feels surreal. “I’m still stunned,” Towns said Wednesday night after the Knicks’ 137-114 victory over the Timberwolves at Madison Square Garden.
Towns, 29, faced his former club for the second time since the trade that shipped Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to Minnesota on the eve of training camp last season. The center finished with 15 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two blocks in 31 minutes as New York pulled away over the final three quarters.
Seeing Minnesota’s black throwback jerseys from the Kevin Garnett era without his name on the back felt “weird,” Towns noted. He spent nine seasons in Minneapolis and helped the Timberwolves reach their first Western Conference finals since 2004 before salary concerns prompted the franchise to move him. The Knicks viewed Towns as a frontcourt complement to point guard Jalen Brunson, while Minnesota sought to avoid the punitive luxury-tax apron.
Old ties remain strong. During his postgame media session, Towns caught himself nearly referring to the Timberwolves as “we.” He said he still speaks with former teammates “every day, if not every other day,” and joked that many of the sets once designed for him now go to Naz Reid.
“Built something special there,” Towns said. “They’re a great team. I expect nothing less than greatness from them.”
Both clubs reached their respective conference finals last season and enter this year with title aspirations. On Wednesday, Towns had several highlight moments, including backing down the 6-4 Anthony Edwards for a dunk and slamming over Rudy Gobert.
Edwards, 24, laughed off the play. “Man, he dunked on me today,” he said. “I stood him up for five seconds, but at 6-3, 6-4 and he’s 7 feet, somebody’s gotta help me.”
Randle, returning to Madison Square Garden for the second time since the trade, led Minnesota with 32 points, five rebounds and four assists in the loss.
The Knicks and Timberwolves meet twice more this season, with the next matchup set for Feb. 3 in Minneapolis.
Source: ESPN
