Anthony Edwards scored 26 points as the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the New York Knicks 122-104 at Madison Square Garden on Monday, October 12, extending their preseason record to 3-1 and leaving the defending NBA champions winless through three games.
Edwards shot 8-of-16 from the field, including five three-pointers on eight attempts, and went 5-of-7 at the free-throw line. Jaden McDaniels added 22 points on 8-of-12 shooting, making four of his five attempts from beyond the arc, as Minnesota built an early advantage and maintained control for most of the contest.
LaMelo Ball contributed 10 points and seven assists, while Ayo Dosunmu finished with 11 points, four rebounds, two assists and three steals off the bench. Minnesota shot 54% from the field and 53% from three-point range, converting 18 of 34 attempts from beyond the arc.
The Timberwolves established their lead in the first half, taking a 30-25 advantage after the opening quarter before extending it to 62-50 by halftime. Edwards scored 16 points in the first quarter, helping Minnesota respond whenever the Knicks threatened to close the gap.
New York briefly found its rhythm in the second quarter, with Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson helping the home team draw level at 41. Minnesota answered through McDaniels, Edwards and Dosunmu, however, and Edwards capped the first half with a three-pointer from 36 feet as time expired.
The Knicks continued to compete in the third quarter, but Minnesota repeatedly had an answer. McDaniels hit a three-pointer to make it 71-62, and Edwards followed with another from deep to push the lead to 75-64. New York cut the deficit to single digits at several points, but the Timberwolves entered the fourth quarter ahead 90-80.
Minnesota then pulled away. Cody Williams opened the final period with a three-pointer, and KJ Martin followed with another to extend the margin to 96-82. The Timberwolves’ reserves maintained the advantage, with Zyon Pullin and Antonio Reeves contributing timely baskets as the lead grew beyond 20 points.
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Brunson led the Knicks with 20 points, five rebounds and three assists, while OG Anunoby scored 15 points and made all six of his free throws. Towns added 11 points and four assists, but New York struggled from long range, shooting just 8-of-32 from three-point territory.
The Knicks shot 45% overall and committed 19 turnovers, matching Minnesota’s turnover total but failing to keep pace with the visitors’ perimeter shooting. Tony Bradley scored 10 points in limited minutes off the bench, while Pacome Dadiet added seven.
Minnesota’s 18 made three-pointers and balanced scoring proved decisive as the team secured a comfortable road victory. The Timberwolves improved to 3-1 in preseason, while the Knicks fell to 0-3 as they continued preparations for the regular season.
