Towns Returns to Minnesota, Ready for Emotional Reunion
MINNEAPOLIS — Karl-Anthony Towns stepped into the Target Center Thursday morning, a familiar warmth washing over him. But beneath the comfort of returning to his former home, a strange reality lingered: he was back as a visitor.
for the first time since being traded to the New York Knicks in September, Towns will face his former team, the Minnesota Timberwolves, on Thursday night.
“I know it’s going to be a lot,” towns said with a laugh, acknowledging the whirlwind of emotions he expects to experience.”But just appreciate every second, every moment and appreciate being back here.”
Drafted No.1 overall by the Wolves in 2015, Towns spent nine seasons in Minnesota, building a legacy that includes playoff appearances and a deep connection with the city and its fans.
“I’m an avid Timberwolves fan, so I watch a lot of the games when I get a chance,” Towns admitted. “They’re still my brothers. They’re still my guys. Just because a trade happened, doesn’t mean I lost love for them. The brotherhood is always going to be there.”
The blockbuster trade that sent Towns to new York in exchange for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo came as a shock,especially after the Wolves’ impressive run to the Western Conference finals the previous season.
“I’m not used to landing and going to a hotel in Minnesota,” Towns reflected. “I don’t know, that has never happened as the day I got drafted.”
Despite the unexpected turn of events, Towns cherishes the memories he forged in a Wolves jersey. From playing alongside Kevin Garnett in his rookie season to witnessing Derrick Rose’s 50-point explosion in 2018, and the electrifying Game 7 victory over the Denver nuggets in the 2024 playoffs, Minnesota holds a special place in his heart.
“Of course,” he said emphatically when asked if he missed minnesota. “I was here nine years. That’s a long time I had called this place home.”
Now, Towns has found a new home in New York, thriving with the Knicks. Averaging 24.8 points and a league-leading 13.9 rebounds, he’s enjoying a career resurgence.
The Knicks enter Thursday’s game with the third-best record in the Eastern Conference, while the Wolves have found their stride after a slow start, winning six of their past seven games.
While the two teams met in a preseason game a few weeks after the trade, Thursday’s matchup carries a different weight.
“I’m trying to appreciate these moments that don’t come around ever or often,” towns said. “So I just want to be in place of life where I look at things from a glass half-full. I’m just grateful for the prospect to be back home and have so many great memories at and to be able to play here against guys I’ve played with.”
A Homecoming with Mixed Emotions: Karl-Anthony Towns Returns to Minnesota
MINNEAPOLIS – Teh Target Center,once his home court,welcomed Karl-Anthony Towns back with a familiar warmth. Yet, a strange reality clung to the air: this time, he was a visitor.
Returning to Minnesota for the first time since his September trade to the New York Knicks, Towns admitted to anticipating a whirlwind of emotions. It wouldn’t be easy facing his former team, the Minnesota Timberwolves, the franchise that drafted him no.1 overall in 2015.
“I know it’s going to be a lot,” Towns said, acknowledging the emotional weight of the moment. “But just appreciate every second, every moment and appreciate being back here.”
Towns spent nine seasons in Minnesota, carving a legacy that included playoff appearances and a deep connection with the city and its dedicated fans.
“I’m an avid Timberwolves fan, so I watch a lot of the games when I get a chance,” he confessed.
“They’re still my brothers. They’re still my guys. just because a trade happened, doesn’t mean I lost love for them. the brotherhood is always going to be there.”
The trade, which sent Towns to New York in exchange for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, shocked many, especially given the Wolves’ remarkable Western Conference finals run the previous season.
Despite the unexpected turn of events, Towns cherishes the memories woven into his time with the Wolves. He recalled sharing the court with Kevin Garnett as a rookie, witnessing Derrick Rose’s explosive 50-point game in 2018, and the electrifying Game 7 victory over the Denver Nuggets in the 2024 playoffs.
“Of course,” he replied without hesitation when asked if he missed minnesota. “I was here nine years.That’s a long time I had called this place home.”
Now thriving with the knicks,enjoying a career resurgence with averages of 24.8 points and a league-leading 13.9 rebounds, Towns views his return to Minnesota with a unique perspective.
“I’m trying to appreciate these moments that don’t come around ever or often,” Towns said. “So I just want to be in place of life where I look at things from a glass half-full.I’m just grateful for the prospect to be back home and have so many great memories at and to be able to play here against guys I’ve played with.”
