Knicks Fall to Timberwolves, Anthony Edwards

Unfortunately for the New York Knicks, Karl-Anthony Towns left the Minnesota Timberwolves in the hands of Anthony Edwards.

Those hands proved capable enough to earn a crucial interconference victory on Friday night, as a dominant posting from Edwards generated a 116-99 decision for the Wolves on the night of a muted homecoming at Madison Square Garden.

Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 26 points while OG Anunoby had an 18-point, 10-rebound double-double. Cameron Payne had 18 in just over 12 minutes, all but two coming in a sterling second quarter showing before the Knicks decided to lean on their starters. Josh Hart fell a rebound short of yet another double-double despite missing time with an apparent injury when he ran into teammate Jericho Sims while boxing out for a rebound.

Jan 17, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) looks to drive past New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges (25) in the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images | Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

The headlines of Friday's game were set to center on the fact it was the first official Manhattan-based get-together between the Knicks and Timberwolves since the two sides' late offseason deal that sent Karl-Anthony Towns to Manhattan and a package headlined by Donte DiVincenzo and Julius Randle up north.

Unfortunately for those who pre-purchased tickets, the homecoming aspect was relatively muted, as both Towns and DiVincenzo each sat with injuries. Randle was allowed only six shot attempts on the evening after earning a friendly reception from an appreciative crowd at MSG, who recognized his five-year term with the Knicks with appreciation.

Edwards thus made sure to bring about the necessary firepower, putting in 36 points (most of that built with eight three-pointers) and 13 rebounds while falling just three assists short of a triple-double.

He permanently flipped momentum with a poster-worthy dunk over Precious Achiuwa in the middle stages of the fourth: following the dramatic double, Minnesota (22-19) outscored New York 22-10 over the final seven-plus minutes and 35-21 in the fourth quarter overall to secure the win.

The Timberwolves also forced New York's doom from deep: Friday's visitors sank 22 successful three-point attempts, with Edwards and Naz Reid (who was a perfect 6-of-6 off the bench) getting 14 alone. It marked the fourth time that the Knicks (27-16) have allowed their adversary to hit at least 20 three-pointers this season and they remain winless on such occasions.

Minnesota thus avenged a one-sided loss to New York from December, one that saw Towns earn 32 points and 20-rebound in a 133-107 decision. With Towns out, the Knicks were limited to only 34 points in the paint, their fewest so far in a game this season. Edwards' season-high in rebounds was part of a plus-five advantage for the Timberwolves on the glass.

Jan 17, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) looks to drive past Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) in the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images | Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

The most perplexing development from Friday's game, however, had to be the participation of Payne ... or lack thereof. Payne put forth 16 points in the second period with impressive bookends, scoring each of the Knicks first 13 points in the frame before his buzzer-beater narrowed the halftime gap to four. However, Payne got only five minutes in the entire second half, taking only one more shot attempt.

All that and more led to another Knicks loss, as they once again failed to string together consecutive victories in the new calendar year. New York also missed out on an opportunity to earn their first sweep of the yearly interconference couple with the Timberwolves since the 2016-17 season.

With the duo with the Wolves completed, the Knicks remain stationed at The Garden for a holiday showdown on Monday afternoon when they face the Atlanta Hawks (3 p.m. ET, MSG).

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