Karl-Anthony Towns returns to Minnesota and dominates in Knicks’ blowout win over Timberwolves: Live updates and highlights

The spotlight tonight was on Karl-Anthony Towns, and rightfully so as the Knicks center put up 32 points, 20 rebounds and 6 assists in his return to face the Minnesota Timberwolves team that drafted him No. 1 overall in 2016 and traded him to New York just before the season.

But the Knicks’ other big trade acquisition, Mikal Bridges, deserves plenty of credit tonight as well. In the second half, Fred Katz labeled this the best all-around game he’s seen from Bridges in a Knicks uniform, and it’s hard to disagree. After hopping boroughs from the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for, essentially, five first-round picks last summer, Bridges has been solid but underwhelming with the Knicks. Tonight, he showed what he can be at his best.

Bridges had 29 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. His off-ball cuts created chaos for the Timberwolves defense all night long, and he provided some solid defense of his own at the other end of the court. More games like this from Bridges would be a welcome sign for the Knicks, who are banking on him to become a high-quality, two-way third option behind Towns and Jalen Brunson.