After posting a game-high 32 points and 20 rebounds on Thursday in the Knicks’ 133-107 win at the Minnesota Timberwolves, Karl Anthony cities was honest about what a big game against his former team meant to him.

“This was a good win for the city I have called home for nine seasons,” Towns told TNT. “This place means a lot to me and my family. Everyone tried to make it seem like it was just another game, I knew it wasn’t and I was happy our team was able to play the way we played tonight and get the win “could win.”

Towns, who the Timberwolves selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft and who developed into a four-time All-Star before a trade to the Knicks in early October, scored in the first half in which New York (17-10). ) buried Minnesota (14-12).

“I just let the game come to me,” Towns said. “I know everyone was pushing for me to shoot the ball in the first quarter, just seeing how the defense was playing. I just didn’t want to let my emotions take over the game and wanted to play for the win. “I wasn’t playing for myself, I was just playing for the win, to get my teammates going and to get the ball moving for me I think I’m getting going and my teammates are putting me in a position to do that. The coaching staff has had success, so give them credit. It was only thanks to him that we were able to achieve this victory.

Tom Thibodeauwho coached Towns with the Timberwolves from 2016 to 2019 before reuniting this season, saw him prepare accordingly for the homecoming.

“KAT’s experience really helped him,” Thibodeau said. “He is very well organized. When I came in I thought what he was like in the morning, he came early in the morning, he was very focused, got here early this evening, so he took care of everything, he knew what it was going to be.” and I found , that he handled it great, and I thought he had a great reception from his fans, and he was obviously a big part of the organization and the community, so it was nice to see.

The Knicks will play the Timberwolves again on January 17th, this time at MSG.

“I’m just glad I was able to play the game I had today,” Towns said. “I have something on my mind that I won’t say.”