The New York Knicks are still searching for their first preseason win, and Monday night brought another rough result. Minnesota walked out with a 122-104 victory, leaving New York with its third straight loss and a few more questions than answers.
Jalen Brunson did his part on the offensive end, finishing with 20 points, five rebounds, and three assists. OG Anunoby added 15 points and three steals. Even with those efforts, the Knicks couldn’t keep pace with Minnesota’s top-end production.
Anthony Edwards set the tone for the Timberwolves. He finished with 26 points, three rebounds, three assists, and a steal while going 8-16 from the field and 5-8 from three.
With LaMelo Ball alongside him, Edwards has room to operate as a pure scorer, and that showed again. Ball didn’t shoot it especially well, scoring 10 points on 3-7 shooting, but he still handed out seven assists, including four that led directly to points for Edwards.
That pairing is starting to look comfortable, and Minnesota will like what it has seen so far. If those two are the engine this season, nights like this only reinforce the upside.
The bigger concern for New York was on the defensive end, especially on the perimeter. The Knicks have plenty of wing depth with OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart, but that didn’t translate into enough resistance against Minnesota’s shooters. The Timberwolves hit 42-78 from the field and 18-34 from three-point range, good for about 54% overall and 53% from deep.
Jaden McDaniels chipped in 22 points and went 4-5 from three, while Ayo Dosunmu added 11 points and hit 3-5 from beyond the arc. Beyond Edwards, those were the guys who really did damage from long range, and New York never found a clean answer.
For a Knicks team that won with grit and effort during its title run, this preseason has been a little too loose. The roster is still built around many of the same pieces, but the defensive edge hasn’t been there consistently.
There’s also a roster battle to keep an eye on, and Tony Bradley helped himself on Monday. New York is still trying to sort out its final 15-man group, and the big-man conversation has centered on whether James Wiseman will take one of those spots. Bradley made a strong case of his own.
In seven minutes off the bench, Bradley scored 10 points and grabbed two rebounds while going a perfect 5-5 from the field. He was the only Knick reserve to reach double figures, and he finished with a minus-1.
It’s only one preseason showing, but Bradley gave the Knicks something to think about. If New York wants dependable rebounding and inside scoring from its third center, he at least put his name in the mix.
In Other News...
Drew Timme Picked The Wolves For A Reason Fans Will Appreciate
Drew Timme came into Timberwolves training camp without any promises attached, but there is still a clear reason he chose Minnesota. The former Gonzaga forward has already flashed in limited preseason minutes, including a strong offensive showing against the Milwaukee Bucks, and he is trying to turn that into a longer look with a roster spot still very much up for grabs.
Minnesota has built a reputation for helping veteran players find room to grow, and that track record likely mattered to Timme as he decided where to spend this opportunity. For a player in his position, camp is about more than surviving the first few cutdowns, it is about finding a place that can sharpen what he already does well and give him a real path forward. [Read more 🡒]
Timberwolves May Have An Early Defensive Burden For Anthony Edwards
Based on the first few preseason games, Jaylen Clark looks to be on the outside of the Timberwolves rotation for now, even though his defensive value is easy to see. Minnesota has been giving more run to players such as Bones Hyland, Trey Lyles and Cody Williams, a sign that offensive fit may be carrying more weight than Clarks reputation as a point-of-attack stopper.
If that continues, the Wolves could have to ask for more on-ball work from Anthony Edwards and even Ayo Dosunmu to help cover the defensive assignments Clark would otherwise handle. For a team that wants to stay sharp at the point of attack, that creates an early season adjustment worth watching, especially if the rotation settles in without much room for Clark to force his way back in. [Read more 🡒]
Jaden McDaniels May Be Claiming The Bigger Wolves Role Fans Wanted
Jaden McDaniels kept building momentum in Minnesotas fourth preseason game, putting up 22 points while shooting with real efficiency, including a 4-for-5 night from three-point range. For a player long viewed as more of a complementary piece, it was the kind of outing that reminded the Timberwolves why his offensive ceiling has become such an interesting part of the conversation around this roster.
The fit around him could matter just as much as the surge itself. With LaMelo Ball expected to help with ball distribution, McDaniels should have more chances to work into cleaner looks, and the Timberwolves faster pace and improved spacing may only help him keep expanding beyond a low-usage role. He has already shown a greater ability to create for himself, and preseason has only strengthened the sense that there may be a bigger role waiting if this carries over. [Read more 🡒]