Karl-Anthony Cities is not certain what to anticipate when he returns to Minneapolis on Thursday evening when he and the New York Knicks go to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
For 9 seasons, Cities was a fan favourite in Minnesota. He began 573 video games for the Timberwolves throughout that span, and he averaged 22.9 factors and 10.8 rebounds per recreation whereas turning into an energetic member of the group.
This can be Cities’ first recreation within the North Star State because the Timberwolves traded him to the Knicks in trade for a bundle that included Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo and a 2025 first-round draft choose.
“Each recreation is necessary,” mentioned Cities, who’s averaging 24.8 factors and a career-high 13.9 rebounds with New York. “It’ll be cool to be in the home. … You by no means understand how the followers are going to react.
“For me, my household, I do know what I gave to this group. And I am completely happy and pleased with what I used to be capable of do.”
The Knicks are taking part in effectively with Cities as a key starter. New York is coming off a 100-91 highway victory over the Orlando Magic, marking the workforce’s eleventh win within the final 15 video games.
The Timberwolves are additionally taking part in higher after a rocky begin to the season. Minnesota has received six of its final seven video games, together with a 106-92 highway victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday.
Anthony Edwards leads Minnesota with 26.2 factors per recreation on 45.4 % capturing from the sphere. Randle is subsequent at 20.1 factors per recreation, and Naz Reid has supplied strong contributions off the bench with 12.2 factors per recreation.
Rudy Gobert, who averages a double-double with 10.6 factors and 11.0 rebounds per recreation, praised Cities earlier than his return to Minnesota.
“From day one, he all the time informed me that it doesn’t matter what I wanted, he was all the time there for me,” Gobert mentioned. “He actually made it enjoyable for me to come back into the group right here. We began to essentially join off the sphere as effectively. I felt like he actually, actually needed to see me succeed.”
Timberwolves veteran Mike Conley echoed Gobert’s reward for Cities.
“The power he introduced on daily basis, typically playful, typically tremendous sensible, witty, no matter, humorous. Simply being himself,” Conley mentioned. “…It is one thing you get used to, and once they depart, it is like, rattling, you miss these moments that you simply see on daily basis in follow.”
Along with making an attempt to decelerate Cities, the Timberwolves should discover a solution to defend Jalen Brunson, who leads the Knicks with 25.0 factors per recreation on 48.9 % capturing. Brunson scored 31 factors within the Knicks’ final win over Orlando.
Cities is second in scoring for New York and is adopted by 4 different gamers averaging double figures, together with Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby, Josh Hart and Miles McBride.
The Timberwolves are 8-4 at residence this season. The Knicks are 8-6 on the highway.
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