Knicks' Karl-Anthony Towns touched by sentiment in return to Minnesota for matchup vs. Timberwolves
The Knicks' Karl-Anthony Towns goes up for a shot against the Timberwolves' Julius Randle in the second quarter at Target Center on December 23, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Credit: David Berding/David Berding
MINNEAPOLIS — The Knicks players had already loaded onto the bus and departed from the Target Center and Karl-Anthony Towns remained behind, the last one left after morning shootaround. But he wasn’t on the floor working on his shooting, instead, like he did on his first trip back here last year, he was just taking it all in.
Towns has established himself as a fixture back in New York. Or at least close enough to his New Jersey roots across the Hudson River. And that’s a good thing because the Knicks desperately needed him Tuesday as they took on the Timberwolves without Jalen Brunson or OG Anunoby.
But coming back here remains more than just a game, the rare player who faces the team that traded him away after nine seasons with affection rather than revenge.
“I know we’ve done a lot of amazing things in the last 12 months in New York, but I had nine years here,” Towns said. “Just watching this organization grow from being a lottery team to now being a Western Conference juggernaut. To be part of that growth, part of that organization’s rise, to be blessed with the opportunity to change a lot of people’s lives. And a lot of the kids that grew up watching me now are adults. Some of them got kids themselves. To be able to give them something to cheer for, it’s what it’s really all about.”
That wasn’t the intention Tuesday, at least not after what he hoped would be a welcoming cheer during introductions. He was here once already since the trade that brought him to New York last season and his 32 points and 20 rebounds helped the Knicks to a win on their way to the Eastern Conference finals.
Staring at the court brought back not just memories of his time here that ended a year ago, but even longer.
“I feel like, it’s weird having the Hardwood Classic thing going on. That was the logo I had when I got drafted. I don’t know if I’m old, or if I’m already a classic edition. It’s weird seeing that court and it’s not my rookie year.
“Going to our house here, it’s different when you’re not here. We talked about the lifestyle here and how awesome it is to be here and all the memories here. Just reliving them, driving by the same places that we always used to go to, getting our coffees and stuff. And then being able to have the Hope Kids Theater [Monday], having that kind of community event that I was always having here, it’s crazy that it’s the second year and it still feels the same.”
Without Brunson, the Knicks' task was more difficult as they sat him out for what the team called right ankle management, along with Anunoby, who was out with left ankle soreness. So, as emotional as his return might be, there was a job to do.
“Win,” Towns said. “The same thing, must go out there and find a way to win. Just go out there and win. I don’t worry about that. I come out here to win.”
Still, for Towns it is hard to push the feelings down. He was the No. 1 overall pick by Minnesota and grew there as the team did, too. Ask him about people judging winners and losers in the deal that brought him to New York in exchange for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo. He only talks about caring that things are going well for Anthony Edwards, who he calls his little brother and said he speaks with nearly every day.
“It can be two truths in that,” Towns said. “You can be at peace knowing the business cycle keeps going and business is business. After the year we had last year in New York, feeling more at home, fans welcoming you in more. Obviously you can be at peace with it, but it still stings when you’re not walking into this locker room. Come to this amazing state, this city and realize you’re not going to the training facility anymore. You’re not making that drive in, you’re not doing all that. Now you’re in a hotel. It hits different.
“. . . As long as they’re good, they’re taken care of and respected — Naz (Reid), Jaden (McDaniels), Ant, all those guys I played with the last few years and seen grow, as long as they’re good and they’re healthy, and mentally, physically, spiritually in a good spot, that’s all that matters to me. That’s all I always wanted to provide them when I was here, was that place of comfort, going to work and trying to win a championship. It continues with me not here. They’re finding their kind of comfort.”
Steve Popper covers the Knicks for Newsday. He has spent nearly three decades covering the Knicks and the NBA, along with just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
