Karl-Anthony Towns had 32 points, 20 rebounds and six assists against his former team in his return to Minnesota. He shot 10-for-12, including 5-for-5 from three-point range.

MINNEAPOLIS — Karl-Anthony Towns sat on the opposing bench Thursday as his new team’s starting lineup was announced. After the first four starters came to the floor, the Target Center scoreboard played a 90-second tribute video of some of Towns’ career highlights.

Karl-Anthony Towns scored 32 points and grabbed 20 rebounds in a triumphant return to Minnesota, and the New York Knicks pulled away for a 133-107 win over the Timberwolves on Thursday night in Minneapolis.

The average NBA team is now worth nearly double what it was just four years ago and the average value is up 15% since last year.

The NFL flexed its financial muscles this month with several LP-stake sales at rich valuations, including more than $8 billion for both the Miami Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles. The NFL checks two boxes that make it the envy of every other sports league: cost certainty for each team and a $400 million-plus annual check from