Karl-Anthony Towns Admits Facing Timberwolves Still Feels “Weird” After Knicks Win

It’s been more than a year since Karl-Anthony Towns was traded from the  to thMinnesota Timberwolvese New York Knicks, but the emotional ties to his former team clearly remain strong.

On Thursday night at Madison Square Garden, Towns faced Minnesota for just the second time since the blockbuster deal, helping the Knicks cruise to a 137–114 victory. Yet, after the game, the four-time All-Star admitted that playing against the Timberwolves still feels strange.

“I’m still stunned. I mean, I’m still stunned. It’s weird,” Towns said during his postgame interview. “It’s weird when you see that Timberwolves jersey — especially the black ones that I got — and not being able to see ‘Towns’ on the back. It’s a weird feeling.”

Karl-Anthony Towns spent nine seasons in Minnesota, where he became the face of the franchise and one of the NBA’s premier big men. While he’s settled into life in New York, he confessed that the connection to the Timberwolves hasn’t completely faded.

“I almost slipped up — I was about to say ‘we,’” he admitted with a laugh. “But they’re a really good team. I still root for them. We built something special in Minnesota.”

On the court, Karl-Anthony Towns turned in a solid all-around performance, finishing with 15 points and 10 rebounds in 31 minutes. Though not his most explosive outing, he played an important role in a dominant Knicks display that saw the home side outscore Minnesota 83–56 in the second half.

OG Anunoby led New York with 25 points, while Jalen Brunson added 23 points and 10 assists. Josh Hart chipped in 18 off the bench as the Knicks improved to a perfect 5–0 at Madison Square Garden this season.

Towns’ appearance was also in doubt earlier in the day, as he had been listed as questionable due to illness. However, he pushed through the discomfort, determined not to miss what was clearly an emotionally charged matchup.

“It took a lot to keep me out tonight,” Towns said. “This one meant something.”

For Towns, the night was a reminder that while he’s embraced his new chapter in New York, part of his heart — and his basketball story — will always belong to Minnesota.