Game preview: Wolves at Karl-Anthony Towns Knicks

Minnesota Timberwolves at New York Knicks
Date: October 13, 2024
Time: 5:00 p.m. CDT
Location: Madison Square Garden
TV coverage: ESPN
Radio reporting: Wolves App/iHeart Radio

Well, Timberwolves fans won't have to wait long before the team takes on Karl-Anthony Towns in a Knicks jersey. Just over two weeks after the shocking trade that sent KAT to New York, Minnesota travels to Madison Square Garden to welcome its former face of the franchise. I know, I know, it's just preseason and these games don't “matter,” but let's be honest – if ever there was a preseason match that actually meant something, it's this one.

It's not hard to imagine how emotional this game will be for Towns. For nine seasons he was the heart and soul of the Wolves, and now he's here, getting ready to face the Knicks and getting ready to face the team that has been the team from the moment they drafted him No. 1 in 2015 overall ranking, invested in him. It will feel surreal for Wolves fans to see KAT in the Knicks' blue and orange colors. The first time he hits a deep three-pointer and MSG breaks out? It will sting. We've spent nearly a decade cheering for these moments, and now for the first time we have no reason at all to celebrate when he does.

And with the Lynx and Liberty facing off in the WNBA Finals, the whole rivalry between Minnesota and New York is already heating up. You can almost feel the tension bubbling beneath the surface. Who knows? This preseason matchup between the Wolves and Knicks could be the start of something bigger. If both teams can reach their potential, we could be set for a seven-game NBA Finals slugfest in June. I mean, how perfect would that be? If this were written like pro wrestling, Adam Silver would be running things like Vince McMahon planning a WrestleMania main event.

But unfortunately, this is the NBA, not the WWE (unless you believe in conspiracy theories). So if the Wolves and Knicks want to meet in June, they will both have to earn it.

Let's get back to actual basketball. Drama aside, the Wolves are coming off a commanding win over the Sixers in Des Moines, Iowa, where their young core absolutely shined. Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDanielsAnd Naz Reid a combined 52 points, showing why the Wolves front office is putting the future of the franchise on their shoulders. This trio was the reason Tim Connelly was willing to let Towns go – the team needed the financial flexibility to build on these three and form a future dynasty with their fingers crossed.

All eyes will be on Naz Reid in this one, as he will be the first big man to follow in Towns' footsteps. Can he be the reliable replacement for a four-time All-Star that the Wolves expect him to be? With Rudy Gobert And Julius Randle Both listed as game-time decisions, the Wolves may lack the size that became their identity last season. So Reid could find himself on an island deep down, trying to match Towns' performance on both ends.

And then there is Anthony Edwardswho is commissioned to coordinate the evaluation results of Jalen Brunson. If there's one thing we know about Ant, it's that he loves the spotlight and nowhere do the lights shine brighter than at MSG. Lockdown defense on New York's wings will be crucial, and if Ant, Jaden, NAW and DDV can set the tone early, this could get interesting quickly.

Let’s face it – this game is going to get hype. It's on ESPN, so you already know the speakers will have a lot to say about the Towns trade, the Wolves' new look and whether Minnesota made the right move. But at the end of the day, it's still preseason. The real priority for Chris Finch and the Wolves will continue to refine their lineups and rotations before the regular season begins in just 10 days.

Still, this game will be fun. From a pre-season perspective, it is the most important event on the Wolves' schedule. So sit back, grab your popcorn, and enjoy the emotional rollercoaster of seeing KAT in the Knicks colors.