Karl-Anthony Towns is now a member of the New York Knicks, but still has many fans in Minnesota.

The big man returned to Target Center on Thursday for the first time since the trade that ended a nine-year tenure with the Timberwolves last offseason. Such occasions can sometimes be awkward, but the love was still there for a man who remains the second-leading goalscorer of all time.

The Timberwolves welcomed Towns back a well made 86 second videowhile the crowd erupted in cheers at his introduction. The 2.10 meter tall man couldn’t help but smile.

As loud as the cheers were for Towns, the crowd had plenty of jeers at the man who was introduced next: Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau, who coached Minnesota for three years with, shall we say, mixed results.

Some in the crowd continued to cheer for Towns throughout the game, applauding for his first basket.

The trade that brought Towns to New York was controversial. The Timberwolves were coming off a 56-26 season that saw them reach the Western Conference finals for the first time since 2004, and Towns was instrumental in that, but the team’s front office opted to cut the 6-foot-2 duo him and Rudy Gobert in exchange for better wing depth in the form of Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, Keita Bates-Diop and a draft pick.

Towns himself didn’t seem to be enthusiastic about the change and only tweeted a few ellipsis that evening. He previously signed an extension to stay in Minnesota that only began this season.

It’s been a strong start to the season so far for Towns, who entered Thursday averaging 24.8 points and an NBA-high 13.9 rebounds per game while shooting 52.9% from the field and 43.9% from 3-1. Points range shot.