MINNEAPOLIS — Julius Randle tried however failed miserably to hijack Karl-Anthony Cities’ huge evening.
With revenge clearly on his thoughts and a decided look on his face, Randle got here out aggressive and indignant, dropping 15 factors within the opening quarter.
However his begin was extra sizzle than steak because the Knicks, behind an emotional and efficient efficiency from Cities, dominated the ultimate three quarters of a 133-107 assertion obliteration.
For Thursday evening and the primary third of this season, the Knicks (17-10) received the commerce.
Cities has been a stat stuffer and bolstered his standing as an East All-Star starter candidate with 32 factors on 10 of 12 capturing, 20 boards and 6 assists.
The opposite Knicks newcomer, Mikal Bridges, added 29 factors on 12 of 18 from the sphere.
The Knicks led by not less than 20 factors for the ultimate 31 minutes as Tom Thibodeau, infamously uncomfortable with giant leads, emptied his bench with 9 minutes left.
It was Randle’s first recreation towards the Knicks since his contract extension talks went nowhere and he was shipped to the Timberwolves for Cities.
A day prior, Randle playfully stonewalled questions on dealing with his former group, an interview that demonstrated, if nothing else, his need to disconnect from the Knicks regardless of 5 seasons with the franchise.
Then on Thursday, Randle began with highly effective strikes and one indignant shout on the Knicks bench following his trey.
He was grooving.
However all the things modified within the second quarter.
OG Anunoby switched on Randle, prompting a few turnovers and a few ugly Timberwolves possessions.
The Knicks’ offense hit full stride and launched a 37-8 run to take full management.
Minnesota’s greatest protection of the second quarter arrived courtesy of the sector safety, who tackled two girls in neon cheerleader outfits who tried to run on the court docket.
One didn’t get previous the primary sideline.
Each had been rapidly arrested.
The half ended with a 22-point Knicks lead and the house crowd booing the Timberwolves (14-12).
Randle completed with 24 factors, however simply 9 on 3 of 9 capturing after the opening quarter.
he recreation towards the Minnesota Timberwolves on Dec. 19, 2024
at Goal Middle in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NBAE by way of Getty Photographs
He darted instantly for the locker room after the defeat, forgoing the postgame ritual of handshakes and hugs with the opponent.
The Knicks had been taking part in with out Josh Hart, who wasn’t with the group at Goal Middle due to private causes.
They as a substitute began Treasured Achiuwa (13 factors, 10 rebounds) at energy ahead and re-inserted Jericho Sims (18 minutes, six factors) within the reserve rotation.
It was the primary missed recreation of the season for any of the common wing starters — Hart, Bridges and Anunoby.
the sport towards the Minnesota Timberwolves on December 19,
2024 at Goal Middle in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NBAE by way of Getty Photographs
But the Knicks didn’t skip a beat.
They shot 51.5 p.c, together with 44.4 p.c from past the arc.
Jalen Brunson struggled by his excessive requirements — he scored 14 factors with seven assists — however the Knicks didn’t want him.
Donte DiVincenzo, the opposite former Knick concerned within the Cities commerce, was a non-factor with 15 factors in 25 minutes, along with his standing in Minnesota such that he performed the totality of rubbish time.
For Cities, the evening was a protracted winterland lovefest.
The middle returned to snowy Minnesota to 2 video tributes Thursday evening — one earlier than tip-off, one other through the recreation — as Cities gushed concerning the “warm feeling” of stepping again within the Goal Middle.
“I was here nine years. That’s a long time. I called this place home,” Cities mentioned. “To be back here, to be able to sleep in my house one more time, it was really a nostalgic feeling.”
Cities, who spent 9 seasons with the Timberwolves after being drafted first total in 2015, was appropriately greeted with 6 inches of snowfall however dismissed the concept he’d have bother commuting to morning shootaround.
“That’s a New York question. That’s not a Minnesotan question,” Cities laughed. “Come on. I ain’t going to answer that one.”
“I just wanted to be my best with whatever NBA jersey I put on, but I especially wanted to be my best here in a Timberwolves jersey,” added Cities. “This place has given my family so much, not even from a financial aspect, but from a life aspect of the experiences we were able to have because of the organization and the things we were able to accomplish here. Those are things that you can never discredit, you can never lose love for. I continue to see Minnesota as a home for me.”
It was a a lot completely different vibe from Randle, who got here out with an ax to grind and left with a boring blade.
Cities left with a win and a celebration of his 9 years in Minnesota.
