Karl-Anthony Towns dazzles in Minnesota return as Knicks roll - ESPN

MINNEAPOLIS — Karl-Anthony Towns arrived at the Target Center on Thursday morning before the rest of his New York Knicks teammates. He said he wanted to take some time for himself and reminisce over his first nine seasons in Minnesota.

Being back in the city where he was drafted gave Towns a «warm feeling,» but he said that still didn't mask how strange it was for him to be entering the arena he once called home as a visiting player for the first time.

«Personally, this game wasn't just another game,» Towns said. «And if anyone told you otherwise, that's a lie.»

In his first game back in Minnesota, Towns excelled. He scored 32 points and knocked down 10 of his 12 shot attempts and added 20 rebounds to lead New York to a 133-107 blowout victory over Minnesota.

Towns and the Knicks outscored the Wolves 41-18 in the second quarter, giving New York a 22-point halftime lead it would never relinquish. Mikal Bridges added 29 points, and Jalen Brunson had 14 points with seven assists.

But the focus of the night was on Towns. Even in defeat, his former Wolves teammate, Anthony Edwards, acknowledged he was happy for him.

«Get traded, come back and beat your team by 30 — I mean, that's everything you dream of,» Edwards said. «I'm mad we lost, but on the inside, I'm super happy for him. That's my dog.»

The Wolves and Knicks pulled off a blockbuster trade the weekend before the start of training camp, sending Towns to New York in exchange for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo. The trade was a shock for Towns, who had spent his entire career in Minnesota, and especially with the Wolves fresh off an appearance in the Western Conference finals.

For his return Thursday night, the Wolves played a video tribute for Towns during pregame