Timberwolves veteran Julius Randle made his anticipated return to Madison Square Garden on Friday, and reflected on his impactful five-year tenure with the Knicks.

When Julius Randle signed with the Knicks in the summer of 2019, he joined a team that had just suffered its sixth consecutive losing season. The Knicks were fresh off of a 17-win campaign that matched the worst season in franchise history.

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.

Jalen Brunson had 26 points and Cam Payne scored all 18 of his points in a span of 4:17, but the Knicks couldn't keep up with the Timberwolves.

Kendra Randle made a statement in her return to Madison Square Garden with a custom jacket supporting husband Julius Randle and the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Knicks dropped their second straight home game on Friday night, as they lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves, 116-99, at Madison Square Garden.

Anthony Edwards posted his second double-double of the season Friday night for the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves, who rode a red-hot outside shooting performance to a 116-99 win over the New York Knicks.

Former New York Knicks All-Star Julius Randle is gearing up to return to Madison Square Garden on Friday night. Knicks

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

Randle believed in the Knicks and their potential when almost no one else in the NBA did. When Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Kawhi Leonard and almost every other free agent took a hard pass on the Knicks, Randle risked coming to a franchise that had just finished a 17-65 season and had gone six straight years without making the playoffs.