Projected starting lineup, injury report, how to watch KAT's return to Minnesota

Towns makes his highly-anticipated return to Target Center on Thursday.

Karl-Anthony Towns
Karl-Anthony Towns | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Friday night marks an occasion that Minnesota Timberwolves fans have been waiting for since September 27, 2024. If that date sounds oddly specific but also familiar, it is the day the Wolves finalized their blockbuster trade of Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks.

Simultaneously, it was a day that changed the course of Timberwolves history forever, for better or for worse. When the sorrow over losing a former franchise player finally lifted, many Wolves fans immediately took to the schedule to find out when exactly they would get to welcome Towns back to Target Center as a visitor.

That night is finally here, and it is sure to be an emotional one for many. The way KAT proudly represented Minnesota has not been forgotten by the fanbase, and his impact on this franchise still remains. Now, Towns' Knicks will march into Target Center and attempt to throw off what has been a thriving Timberwolves defense as of late.

Timberwolves projected starting lineup vs Knicks

No major injuries have been reported since Minnesota last played on Sunday, so the starting lineup should be Chris Finch's typical one.

Mike Conley

Anthony Edwards

Jaden McDaniels

Julius Randle

Rudy Gobert

Timberwolves injury report

Jaylen Clark (two-way), Jesse Edwards (two-way), Joe Ingles (left soleus strain), Leonard Miller (G League assignment) and Daishen Nix (two-way) are all out against New York.

Knicks projected starting lineup vs Timberwolves

Jalen Brunson

Mikal Bridges

OG Anunoby

Josh Hart

Karl-Anthony Towns

Knicks injury report

Mitchell Robinson (ankle) and Kevin McCullar Jr. (knee) are both out against Minnesota. Ariel Hukporti (ankle) is questionable.

How to watch Timberwolves-Knicks

Timberwolves vs Knicks will be televised on national television on TNT, with tipoff set for 8:30 PM CT.
Fans can also tune in on FanDuel Sports Network to hear the broadcast done by Michael Grady and Jim Peterson.

For Wolves fans located outside the Twin Cities area, the game can also be found on NBA League Pass.

Timberwolves' next five regular season games

Saturday, Dec. 21 vs Golden State Warriors (7:00 PM CT on FDSS)

Monday, Dec. 23 at Atlanta Hawks (6:30 PM CT on FDSS)

Wednesday, Dec. 25 at Dallas Mavericks (1:30 PM CT on ABC/ESPN)

Friday, Dec. 27 at Houston Rockets (7:00 PM CT on FDSS)

Sunday, Dec. 29 vs San Antonio Spurs (7:00 PM CT on FDSS)

Check back here for more updates ahead of tipoff at 8:30 PM CT.

Schedule