Knicks 115, Wolves 110: Edwards Scores 31 in Impressive Fashion

The Timberwolves encountered an old friend turned foe, as Karl-Anthony Towns’ new look Knicks physically imposed their will, taking a late lead with their bench.

Game three of the Timberwolves preseason slate brought about the reunion of familiar faces. For the first time ever, Karl-Anthony Towns took to the court against the Timberwolves. After nine seasons filling the Target Center hoop, Towns was unexpectedly ripped away from teammates and a city he had developed a deep connection with. Before the game, Anthony Edwards caught up with his former running mate.

The “Julius Randle Watch” remains intact as the forward was inactive for tonight’s contest, and veteran point guard Mike Conley was also given the night off. The Knicks preferred starting five of Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Karl-Anthony Towns were all in action and ready to demonstrate why they are to be feared around the NBA.

From the opening tip, the game’s feel far outpaced what you would expect of a preseason game. The Wolves, flexing their improved speed, ran the court with intention, rarely settling into the stickiness that was an unfortunate staple of the 2023-2024 roster. The first possession for the Knicks on offense put the ball in Towns’ hands, as Rudy Gobert readied himself on the perimeter to challenge. Towns’s step-back three-pointer clanked off the iron, but the matchup left Timberwolves faithful at the edge of their seat.

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Meanwhile, Jaden McDaniels picked up three quick fouls in the first three minutes, throwing Timberwolves’ head coach Chris Finch’s plan for rotations into the trash. OG Anunoby erupted early, exploding for 12 first-quarter points while stifling Minnesota at the point of attack. Just as the game began to spin out of control for the visitors, a budding connection between Donte DiVincenzo and Anthony Edwards propelled the Timberwolves offense and forced the game into a constant back-and-forth. With each answer, the intensity continued to rise.

After finishing the 2022-2023 season as the 17th-ranked offense, the movement and spacing within the Timberwolves offense in Madison Square Garden was evident. Edwards caught fire, consistently finding and making open shots. It was a great sign for Minnesota, as the fifth-year budding star showed his development as a lethal shooter. Edwards took over in the second quarter, connecting on 4 of 5 from deep to total 14 total points as Minnesota took a 57-55 lead into the break.

Edwards picked up where he left off in the second half, finishing with 31 points and carrying the Wolves offense in only 27 minutes of action. Ultimately, once Edwards’ night was done, the Knicks began to impose their will as the Wolves struggled to generate consistent answers. Rookie Rob Dillingham struggled to adapt to the physicality of the game while foul trouble from Naz Reid and McDaniels left the Wolves with limited options for consistent offense. The Knicks cruised to a 115-110 defeat as the final buzzer sounded with a little bit of fireworks to boot.

Key Takeaways

Edwards and DiVincenzo Percolate in the Backcourt

In his return to Madison Square Garden, Donte DiVincenzo dazzled as he displayed exactly why the Timberwolves long sought after #0. He went 6 of 11 from the field for 15 points, demonstrating his ability to create his own offense and put pressure on the rim. His constant threat as a sharpshooter paired with his ability to create his own looks inside the arc is a game-changer for the Timberwolves offense. Tonight, it was his connection with Anthony Edwards that stole the show.

In the 2024 playoffs, the Timberwolves often lacked offensive shot creation outside of Edwards. While the All-NBA talent consistently answered the bell, the array of tough shots inevitably weighed down the efficiency of his offensive possessions. DiVincenzo’s ability to pull defenses away with his shooting gravity to find open passing lanes is a pathway for Edwards to take clean looks within the flow of the offense. Their connection should make you excited, as Anthony Edwards improving efficiency is the path of least resistance to upgrading his scoring averages.

DiVincenzo surely endeared himself to Wolves fans who still may have opinions on their former President of Basketball Operations and Head Coach, Tom Thibodeau.

Josh Minott Plays Heavy Minutes

Coming into the year, few fans had Josh Minott playing rotation minutes on their bingo cards. Through three preseason games, Chris Finch continues to turn to Minott as an option off the bench. Tonight, Minott was the second player off the bench and totaled 26 minutes while showcasing a well-rounded game. Previously, Minott had displayed confidence from deep, going 5 of 7 from three against the Lakers and 76ers. Though he cooled off from deep tonight, Minott found a way to contribute as he reeled in seven rebounds and dished out three assists.

Minott’s length proved problematic on the boards, as the self-dubbed “Lawnmower” wreaked havoc on the court. Minott’s ability to contribute during a cold shooting night is noteworthy, and it is clear that the Timberwolves coaching staff is showing faith in the 21-year-old forward.

Timberwolves Play with Pace

Often during the 2023-24 season, the offense would become bogged down in iso-ball with limited movement or spacing. After three preseason games, it’s evident that the Wolves have aimed to adjust their offensive approach. Intentional off-ball movement is quickly becoming a staple. Paired with the addition of a true movement shooter in DiVincenzo, the Timberwolves look like a team that located the rest of their playbook.

Sacrificing size for shooting and speed may impair the Timberwolves’ ability to maintain their #1 defensive rank, but the injection of offense is a sight for sore eyes. The fact is, Minnesota would never take the final step so long as they held the 17th-ranked offense. The Timberwolves will take aim at boosting their offensive rating into a top-10 unit by manufacturing open shots through off-ball movement and shooting.

Dillingham doesn’t hurt the pace of play either. The young guard struggled with the physicality of the Knicks but stayed decisive in his decision-making. Unfortunately, this led to getting stuck in the air on a few occasions, it’s an important learning lesson for the young player.

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Game Highlights

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Box Score

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Up Next

The Timberwolves continue their preseason slate as they head on the road against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday, October 16th at 7:00PM.