With the two sides preparing to square off Thursday night, in an emotional homecoming for Towns, who spent his first nine pro seasons with the Wolves, a reminder will come: Both the Knicks and Timberwolves are still molding their new identities, though not all the mystery is because of the three aforementioned players.

Towns gave fans at Target Center plenty of great memories, too, and they showed their appreciation. A sparse crowd cheered Towns when he came out for pregame warmups an hour before the game. By the time Towns was announced as a Knicks starter and the tribute played on the video board, a filled-in and sold-out crowd let out a roaring applause.

It was quite a contrast watching one of the best offensive players in Timberwolves’ history pour in a remarkably efficient 32 points to go with 20 rebounds as the Knicks drubbed Minnesota 133-107 on national television on Thursday in Karl-Anthony Towns’ much-anticipated return to Target Center, while his former team bottomed out offensively.