Former New York Knicks All-Star Julius Randle is gearing up to return to Madison Square Garden on Friday night.
Knicks to see Wolves in Julius Randle’s return to New York
Randle’s Minnesota Timberwolves will take on the Knicks on the road. This will mark the second time that Randle faces off against his former team, but the first time that he’ll do so back in “The World’s Most Famous Arena.”
The T-Wolves were handed a massive 133-107 defeat at the hands of the Knicks on Dec. 19. Randle led Minnesota’s charge with 24 points in that affair and will look to get back at New York in the upcoming clash.
The Kentucky product was the centerpiece of the trade that sent fellow former Wildcat Karl-Anthony Towns from the Wolves to the Knicks. Randle was instrumental in helping New York revive from a moribund state when he first arrived in town during the 2019-20 campaign. He quickly led the franchise to the playoffs in his second season at their helm and finished with two postseason runs, the latter of which culminated in a trip to the Eastern Conference Semifinals in 2023.
Randle has a chance to make a statement in return to MSG
While Randle averaged 23.3 points, 9.9 rebounds, and five assists from his Most Improved Player of the Year campaign in 2020-21 until his departure last time out, he’s seen a dropoff in productivity with the T-Wolves, which has led to much media scrutiny. Conversely, the Knicks look like the best they’ve been in decades with Towns front lining their attack.
Thus, Randle’s return to MSG may be more than a way for the Knicks crowd to warmly receive him with a tribute. The two-time All-NBA honoree may take this opportunity to show New York what they gave up.
Knicks will also welcome Donte DiVincenzo back to town
Also making his return to the MSG floor will be Wolves guard Donte DiVincenzo. He set the Knicks’ single-season three-pointers made record with 283 triples last time out and revitalized their offense majorly. The Villanova product has also seen his play diminish in Minnesota but is listed as out for tonight’s affair with a toe ailment.