Minnesota (38-29) is a half-game behind Golden State (38-28) for sixth-place in the Western Conference standings. Both of those teams are tied for the conference's longest win streak with six games, and the Timberwolves are 11-0 in the last 11 games that Julius Randle has played in. They acquired Randle from the Knicks in the Towns trade.

Towns returned for the Knicks' last two games after missing Wednesday's 110-105 win over the Philadelphia 76ers due to a left knee ailment. He played 40 minutes during Sunday's 116-112 overtime win over the Miami Heat, posting 19 points and 16 rebounds on 6-of-11 shooting.