An announced crowd of 15,200 at Target Center sprang to their feet Wednesday night to give the NBA’s past two No. 1 draft picks, Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins, a superstars’ welcome in player introductions at the Timberwolves’ summer league scrimmage.

A franchise player like Wiggins typically wouldn’t participate in such an event, but it was a chance for the Wolves to capitalize on the excitement generated from landing Towns and local kid Tyus Jones in last month’s draft.

The crowd was so jam-packed in the skyway outside the arena that the scrimmage had to be delayed 20 minutes to make sure everyone got inside before the start.

Keep in mind that Wolves attendance last season averaged about 14,500.

Towns addressed the crowd at center court before the game, thanking everyone for their support and telling them to have fun.

“I thought the crowd was absolutely amazing,” Towns said. “I just can’t believe all the excitement from Minnesota Timberwolves fans. I’m so excited that we bring that to them.”

The highly skilled 6-foot-11 center from Kentucky said the first thing that came to mind was that the fan base reminded him of the passionate sellout crowds at Rupp Arena in Lexington.

Towns seemed to have already won over Wolves faithful with his outgoing personality, but then it was time to finally earn praise for his play in a Minnesota uniform.

He didn’t disappoint, putting up 19 points and 13 rebounds — by halftime.

Towns scored the first basket of the scrimmage, on a running hook shot over Gorgui Dieng, an All-NBA rookie second-team center last season.

On the ensuing defensive possession, Towns got his hands on a turnover and tossed a long outlet pass to second-year guard Zach LaVine for a dunk.

LaVine, the NBA’s reigning slam dunk champ, would go on to have a ton of highlight-reel slams, but Towns’ between-the-legs jam in warmups received rave reviews from teammates.

“I think I surprised a lot of them,” Towns said. “They didn’t expect that kind of athleticism from me. I don’t think I’ll be taking Zach in any Sprite Slam Dunk Contest, but I’ll definitely try to give him some run for his money.”

Wiggins, looking to not get outdone, went baseline for a two-handed dunk and banked in a three-pointer for his first baskets. Towns answered with his first three-pointer.

It was reminiscent of when Towns and Wiggins were high school players challenging each other to a shooting contest during a Nike Hoop Summit practice.

Wednesday night, Wiggins eventually took a back seat to Towns, who will be tested in the Las Vegas Summer League starting Friday.

“He was amazing,” Wiggins said. “He was shooting threes. He was posting up, blocking shots. He’ll be a big piece of the team.”

Towns finished with 24 points and 15 rebounds. LaVine scored 25. Jones, an Apple Valley High grad and the Wolves’ other first-round draft choice, had nine points, eight assists and two steals.

Draft experts considered Towns a better choice for the No. 1 pick over Duke’s Jahlil Okafor because of his superior defensive ability. But the 19-year-old from New Jersey displayed more than the steady jump shot that stood out in pre-draft workouts.

Towns’ post moves, quick leaping and nifty footwork for his size made him a tough assignment for Dieng and former Michigan State center Adreian Payne.

One transition play had Towns take Dieng off the dribble and finish a Eurostep move, taking a step one way and quickly changing direction with another step for a layup as the crowd exploded with cheers.

In the second half, Towns sank a jump hook while being fouled by Payne.

“This is my first (game) since the Final Four,” Towns said. “This was the first time I got to bang bodies a little bit. I’m glad I was hitting a lot of shots today, and I was doing really well.”

The night as a whole had about as much defensive intensity as a glorified pickup game, but the Wolves’ top pick gave the fans what they came to see — another young player with immense potential.

“Like I’ve said the last few days, he’s been impressive,” Wolves assistant and summer league head coach Ryan Saunders said. “He’s getting more comfortable as each practice goes on. He’s finding places where he can pick his spots and make moves he’s comfortable with. And we’re trying to put him in positions where he can succeed.”

BRIEFLY

Wolves forward Shabazz Muhammad didn’t participate in the scrimmage after suffering a hamstring injury in practice this week.