Wolves edge Knicks 115-104 behind Edwards’ 38 in Towns’ Minneapolis return
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MINNEAPOLIS — Anthony Edwards poured in 38 points on Tuesday night, guiding the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 115-104 victory over the New York Knicks and handing former franchise cornerstone Karl-Anthony Towns his first loss against his old team.
Edwards went 14-for-26 from the field and added six rebounds as Minnesota improved to 20-10 and stretched its hot stretch to 10 wins in the last 12 games.
Julius Randle, acquired by the Timberwolves in last year’s blockbuster deal that sent Towns to New York, scored 25 points, 17 of them in the fourth quarter. Rudy Gobert delivered 11 points, 16 rebounds and his usual interior defense.
Towns lit up his former home arena with a season-best 40 points and fouled out with 35.1 seconds left. The Knicks (20-9) played without fellow All-Star Jalen Brunson, who rested a previously injured ankle after dropping 47 points against Miami on Sunday.
Rookie guard Tyler Kolek started in Brunson’s place and nearly produced a triple-double, finishing with 20 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists. New York also remained without OG Anunoby (ankle), Miles McBride (ankle) and Landry Shamet (shoulder), leaving Towns as the primary scoring option.
The game marked Towns’ second appearance at Target Center since the trade. He had 32 points and 20 rebounds in last season’s 133-107 Knicks win and missed the rematch in New York, a 116-99 Timberwolves victory. Earlier this season, Towns scored 15 in New York’s 137-114 home win over Minnesota.
Emotions were high for Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, both shipped to Minnesota in the same deal. Randle energized the crowd late, flexing after tough baskets as the Timberwolves rebuilt a lead that had slipped from 16 points down to two early in the fourth quarter.
Source: ESPN
