Knicks know the Julius Randle challenge that comes with Timberwolves

The Knicks’ pending visit to Minnesota obviously marks the return of Karl-Anthony Towns to Target Center, but it also will be the first time Julius Randle faces his former team following the blockbuster September trade with the Timberwolves. The three-time All-Star power forward did not play in the preseason matchup between the teams at the Garden, the game in which Donte DiVincenzo got into a spat with Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson. While DiVincenzo has struggled since the move — shooting 31.9 percent from 3-point range this season — Randle is averaging 20.1 points per game in his first 25 games since suffering a season-ending shoulder injury last January and eventually undergoing surgery. “Jules is a great player.He can do it all,” said Knicks forward OG Anunoby, who likely will draw the primary assignment Thursday night of guarding Randle.

“Pass, shoot, drive.Great player.” Randle and Anunoby only played in 14 games together — with the Knicks going 12-2 last season following the latter’s late-December arrival from the Raptors.

Anunoby also went down with an injury in late January and underwent elbow surgery before returning just before the start of the playoffs. Randle replaced Towns at power forward alongside three-time All-Star center Rudy Gobert.Towns manned the 4-spot last season for the Timberwolves before shifting back to the middle with the Knicks. “They’re big.

We faced a little bit of that for Orlando, as well,” Tom Thibodeau said, referring to Sunday’s road win over the Magic.“So it’s not only the initial part, but it’s gonna be the finish of the defense, that’s going to be the strongest part of the defense. “Challenging the shot, to the rebound.

You’re talking about Gobert, Julius is a great offensive rebounder.Then you’ve got Naz Reid, you’ve got [Anthony] Edwards who’s going to crash, as well and you’ve got [Jaden] McDaniels, so they’re very athletic and if we don’t have contact it c...