Karl-Anthony Towns initiated the action, but it was Julius Randle who had the final triumph.

In a highly anticipated matchup, the two players, who were traded for each other, clashed when the Knicks visited the Timberwolves in Minnesota on Tuesday. Towns, making his second return to Minneapolis since being traded to New York for Randle and Donte DiVincenzo two offseasons ago, dazzled with 24 points in the first half and ended the game with an impressive 40 points and 13 rebounds, shooting 14-of-24 from the floor.

However, it was Randle who sealed Minnesota’s 115-104 win over the Knicks. The former Knicks All-Star delivered 25 points, hitting 10-of-20 shots. A significant 17 of Randle’s points came in the fourth quarter, where he showcased his dominance by flexing at Towns and the Knicks’ bench after crucial baskets secured the Knicks’ ninth loss in their 29-game season.

Since the trade, Randle has averaged 21.7 points, six rebounds, and four assists against his former team. Meanwhile, DiVincenzo contributed 11 points, eight assists, and nailed three out of seven three-pointers against the Knicks.

The Knicks’ defeat was somewhat anticipated due to their injury struggles.

Key player, All-Star guard and captain Jalen Brunson, was sidelined with right ankle injury management. Also absent were OG Anunoby (left ankle soreness) and Guerschon Yabusele (illness), along with Miles McBride (left ankle sprain) and Landry Shamet (right shoulder sprain), who have been out for extended periods due to their respective injuries.

With several key contributors on the shelf, head coach Mike Brown started second-year guard Tyler Kolek at point guard and inserted Mitchell Robinson back into the first unit.

Kolek responded with the best game of his young career: 20 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists and three steals on 9-of-22 shooting from the field.

While Kolek’s night was refreshing, Towns’ was a necessity. He was coming off of a nightmare performance, logging just two points and six rebounds on one-of-six shooting from the field in the Knicks’ victory over the Miami Heat on Sunday. Towns averaged just 16.8 points per game over his last six games entering Tuesday in Minnesota.

So a trip down memory lane was exactly what the doctor ordered: Towns had 32 points, 20 rebounds and six assists on 10-of-12 shooting from the field in his first game back in Minnesota on Dec. 19, 2024

But the Knicks got next to nothing from their depleted bench: Jordan Clarkson scored 10 points on 3-of-11 shooting from the field, and Ariel Hukporti and rookie Mohamed Diawara combined to score the Knicks’ other five bench points. The Wolves won the second unit margin despite scoring getting only 22 points from their reserves.

Plus Josh Hart had an emotionally-charged matchup and was ruled for a flagrant foul one after swiping at Wolves’ center Rudy Gobert’s leg, a moment quickly followed by Hart shoving the former four-time Defensive Player of the Year. Gobert made both free throws with under 90 seconds left in the third quarter to give the Wolves an 82-76 lead.

Wolves star Anthony Edwards scored 38 points on 15-of-27 shooting from the field and 4-of-10 shooting from three-point range to go with four steals. Mikal Bridges finished with 15 points on 7-of-16 shooting from the field.

The Knicks now return home, where they are 14-2 on the season, to host the Cleveland Cavaliers in a Christmas Day matinee game at Madison Square Garden.