Karl-Anthony Towns was outstanding in his return to Minnesota Thursday night, and the Knicks look like the clear winners of the trade that shook up the NBA just before the start of training camp, writes Stefan Bondy of The New York Post.
Towns, one of the top players in Timberwolves history, was sent to New York in a three-team deal to get the Wolves out from under his pricey contract. He didn’t have anything negative to say about the franchise as he played in Minnesota for the first time since the trade, but his play spoke loudly as he racked up 32 points, 20 rebounds and six assists while shooting 10-of-12 from the field.
“I was here nine years. That’s a long time. I called this place home,” Towns said. “To be back here, to be able to sleep in my house one more time, it was really a nostalgic feeling.”
While Towns is making a strong case to be an All-Star starter, the trade hasn’t worked out nearly as well for the Wolves, Bondy adds. Julius Randle came out hot on Thursday with 15 points and three assists in the first quarter while directing numerous comments at the Knicks’ bench. However, he was mostly ineffective after OG Anunoby began guarding him and left without speaking to reporters. Donte DiVincenzo had 15 points in 25 minutes, but much of that came during garbage time as New York held a huge lead for most of the night.
“The game wasn’t just another game,” Towns said. “If anyone tells you otherwise that’s a lie.”
There’s more on the two New York teams:
- Josh Hart missed the game for personal reasons, marking the first time all season that the Knicks have been without one of their starting wings, according to Bondy. Precious Achiuwa made his first start of the season and delivered 13 points and 10 rebounds in 28 minutes. Jericho Sims returned to the rotation and had six points in 18 minutes.
- Nets center Nic Claxton admits he needs to stay in control after being ejected Thursday for the third time this season, per Brian Lewis of The New York Post. Claxton got tossed when he threw the ball into the stands after being intentionally fouled by Kelly Olynyk on a drive to the basket. He appeared to be frustrated over a non-call on the previous possession. “I just had a mental lapse, and I just launched the ball in the crowd,” Claxton told reporters after the game. “And I can’t let my emotions get to that point. I got to be there for my team.”
- The Nets rallied for a win at Toronto that boosts their playoff chances but likely hurts their position in the lottery, Lewis adds. Coach Jordi Fernandez was happy that his players kept battling, as he wants their focus to be on remaining competitive rather than next year’s draft. “There was adversity, for many different reasons, but nobody dropped their shoulders, and they kept playing,” Fernandez said. “Winning a game like this, it’s important for us.”
Nice to see Achiuwa getting minutes and hooping
Achiuwa looked good last night. I like having him back in the rotation. Watching Randle play last night reminded me of how he used to play with the Knicks. Stopping ball movement dead and playing ISO ball, forcing shots. Looks like he has worked on his 3 ball.
Honestly, Randle seems like less of a problem for the current Wolves roster than Gobert. Gobert is utterly incapable and untrustworthy as an offensive option. He can only score in the pick-and-roll and has brick hands. He’s not even a real lob threat, ffs. And he’s regressed even more this season. The Wolves are effectively playing 4-on-5 on offense. Not a surprise that they’re bottom-10 in O-Rating.
Gobert worked with KAT because he could handle all the offense with Gobert being a good screener and functioning as a release valve. But he and Randle cannot coexist.
The Nets need to put blinders on and just worry about what they do on the court. Their play can be very entertaining. There are good players in the upcoming draft but it’s hard to say they are “generational talent.”
I thought last nights game provided some good insight to continue testing PA in the starting lineup and having Hart come off the bench. 30 boards between the two big men. When MR comes back, you then have a rotation of MR, JH, and MM coming off the bench. Any injuries, CP slides into the rotation. Honestly think this is the best version of the Knicks. Height, defense, and offense all mesh.
Precious starting helps team D and KAT. Also helps Mikal get better looks. Definitely can work with this lineup. Hart as a sixth man makes the bench stronger. And he still can play more mins than Previous. Precious did have trouble with Randle. Then they settled down as a team. As a team they locked down Minny.
What made Randle an all star is work. When he works he’s a force. Unfortunately he still sulks at times. Minny still working him in. Seems Minny not fully committed to Julius. Last night. Once Knicks started giving back after Randles trash talking. Seemed like they all gave up. That’s not a good sign for Randle. Randle is a bit of a drama queen. Coaches have to work with him to make it work. If AE is not in it will never work.
Good to see your theories come to fruition. Precious had a solid gm. KAT and team D was solid. And my guy 2WayBridges had a big game. Held AE on defense mostly. And led team in scoring. Was more aggressive. Something I’ve been saying for awhile now. Mikal stay aggressive and get yours. With Precious out there Mikal will look to score more. Last night you could see Jalen looking for him. And he Mikal just taking it to basket. Solid team game.
Loved it.