Some of Karl-Anthony Towns’ fondest childhood memories on Christmas included the NBA. He would sit on the couch with his father, Karl Towns Sr., and watch games, imagining himself playing in those nationally-televised showcases one day.

Before an emotional night at Target Center, Towns took some time for himself to reminisce: "I was committed to retiring here."

Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; New York Knicks forward Karl-Anthony Towns (32) smiles as he rests on the bench in the fourth quarter of the game with the Minnesota Tim