Karl-Anthony Towns Can't Stop Missing Minnesota

Karl-Anthony Towns: New York Knicks at Minnesota Timberwolves Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

Karl-Anthony Towns returned to Target Center on Tuesday night for the second time since the Minnesota Timberwolves traded him to the New York Knicks going on 1.5 years ago, in exchange for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo.

In year two following the blockbuster swap, both KAT and the Wolves have found all sorts of success without each other. The MN Timberwolves entered last night’s reunion/game with a 19-10 record, well within the conversation for Western Conference playoff contenders.

Meanwhile, the Knicks came in with an even more impressive record of 20-8, trailing only the Detroit Pistons atop the East. This, one season removed from both Minnesota and New York making their respective Conference Finals in 2024-25.

Anthony Edwards leads MN Timberwolves over NY Knicks

On the floor, Tuesday’s cross-conference matchup was about Anthony Edwards — who was good all the way through, but completely took over in the second half — eventually finishing with 38 points on 15/27 shooting with 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals and 1 block. On both sides of the floor, Ant stole the show.

Anthony Edwards 38 PTS, 2 AST, 4 STL, 1 BLK, 15/27 FG, 4/10 3FG, 64.1% TS vs Knicks https://t.co/lOKpdiyEup pic.twitter.com/nwrppruMw2

— Basketball Performances (@NBAPerformances) December 24, 2025

The only player last night who could keep the Knicks in spitting distance of Edwards and the Wolves was Ant’s former teammate and still-great friend, Karl-Anthony Towns.

KAT poured in 40 points (3/6 3PT) in 35 minutes Tuesday, to go with 13 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal against the team that selected him No. 1 overall in 2015. But for Towns, coming back to Minnesota is never about basketball, a fact he doesn’t run from.

Even 15 months after the trade was consummated, KAT still sounds like a lost soul who would give up ANYTHING and EVERYTHING he’s won and experience in the Big Apple, if it meant he could leave his hometown and return to Minnesota and play for the Timberwolves again.

Karl Anthony Towns still missing Minnesota bad

On Tuesday night, KAT received a huge ovation from the crowd at Target Center — both before and after the game. That warm welcome back from fans hit Karl right in the feels, something he talked about after the game.

Combine that with a bunch of emotional reunions Towns had with former coaches, teammates and staffers throughout the day, and it was almost too much for the newly-turned 30-year-old to handle.

All three of the below videos/quotes are from SEPARATE interviews Tuesday.

Karl-Anthony Towns this morning: “I feel weird. Y’all have the Hardwood Classic thing going on and that was the logo I had when I got drafted. I don’t know if I’m old or am I already a Classic edition? It’s weird seeing that court and it’s not my rookie year.”

— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) December 23, 2025

When asked if the September 2024 trade still stung or if he was at peace with what happened, Towns said, “There could be two truths in that.”

“You could be at peace knowing that the business cycle keeps going, and business is business,” he said. “And after the year we had last year in New York, feeling more at home, fans welcoming you in more, you could be at peace with it.

“But it still stings when you’re not walking in this locker room, coming to this amazing state, the 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, and now you’re in a hotel. I think it hits different.”

Star Tribune
Mentioned in this article: Karl-Anthony Towns