The Minnesota Timberwolves traded Karl-Anthony Towns to the Knicks based in part because they craved flexibility.

Randle played a secondary role in the Timberwolves’ 116-99 win, taking a backseat in the spotlight as Anthony Edwards dazzled with 36 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists.

The 21-19 Minnesota Timberwolves have struggled to get on the same page at times after making a monstrous offseason trade that brought in Julius Randle

Friday night marked Randle’s first game back at Madison Square Garden since the Knicks traded him and Donte DiVincenzo to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the three-team blockbuster that brought center Karl-Anthony Towns to New York.

Anthony Towns for their matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night, marking the second consecutive game the star big man sat out after suffering a bone chip and sprain in his shooting thumb earlier in the week.

Stefan Bondy of the New York Post reported that Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns is dealing with more than a thumb sprain.

The two Timberwolves, who were instrumental in last season's Knicks success, return to the Garden Friday night, but DiVincenzo is out with a toe sprain.

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) shoots at the basket as Boston Celtics forwards Xavier Tillman (26) and Jayson Tatum (0) defend in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) AP

ESPN's André Snellings proposed a trade that would ship Julius Randle, a new member of the Minnesota Timberwolves, for a scoring guard.