After a game-high 32 points and 20 rebounds Thursday in the Knicks‘ 133-107 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, Karl-Anthony cities was honest about what a big game against his former team meant to him.
“It’s a good achievement for the city, a place I’ve called home for nine seasons,” Towns told TNT. “This place means a lot to me and my family, everyone is trying to make it look like it’s another game, I know it’s not, and I’m happy that our team can do the way we did tonight so you won.”
Towns, whom the Timberwolves selected with the 2015 NBA Draft’s No. 1 overall pick and developed into a four-time All-Star before the early-October trade to the Knicks, totaled 22 points and 12 rebounds in the first half where New York (17-10) served Minnesota (14-12).
“I just let the game come to me,” Towns said. “I know everyone in the first quarter was pushing for me to shoot the ball, and you’re just seeing how their defense is doing. I don’t want to let my emotions take over the game, and you want to play for victory. I’m not playing for myself – I’m playing for the first victory, just getting my teammates going, I have to put the flow in our offense. And my teammates put me in position to successful, the training staff did, so shout out to them because they were able to get this victory.
Tom ThibodeauTowns coached with the Timberwolves from 2016-19 before returning this season, seeing him prepare as a homecoming.
“The KAT experience has really helped him,” Thibodeau said. “He’s very organized. So coming in, I think the way he’s in the morning, he’s there early in the morning, he’s very focused, he’s here early at night, so he takes everything, he knows what he’s going to do is. and I think he takes great care. I think he gets a great reception from their fans, and he’s obviously been a big part of the organization and the community, so it’s good to see.”
The Knicks play the Timberwolves again Jan. 17, this time at MSG.
“I’m just happy that I was able to have the game that I had today,” Towns said. “I have something on my mind I won’t say.”
