NBA Preseason: Wolves 121, Knicks 112: Bench Shines in Well-Rounded Win

The Minnesota Timberwolves had a sluggish start in their preseason game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks took an early lead due to RJ Barrett’s and-1s and the Timberwolves’ inability to make open 3-point shots. However, the Timberwolves found their rhythm by running pick-and-rolls with Mike Conley and Rudy Gobert, which led to better ball movement and clean looks. The Knicks continued to attack the paint and play aggressive defense. They drew shooting fouls and outscored the Timberwolves on fast breaks, ending the first quarter with a 30-28 lead.

In the second quarter, Naz Reid made an immediate impact by drawing a shooting foul and hitting three consecutive 3-pointers to give the Timberwolves their first lead of the game. Karl-Anthony Towns and Reid played well together, but the Timberwolves struggled defensively. Evan Fournier of the Knicks added 10 points to regain the lead for New York. Kyle Anderson and Anthony Edwards stepped up towards the end of the quarter, scoring the final nine points and giving the Timberwolves a 57-54 lead at halftime.

Towns started the third quarter strong with seven quick points to extend the Timberwolves’ lead. The Knicks fought back through Barrett’s driving plays and drawing fouls. The Timberwolves’ offense struggled when Towns and Gobert shared the floor, but regained momentum when Reid, Anderson, and Shake Milton re-entered the game. They made important baskets to keep the Timberwolves tied with the Knicks at 84 going into the fourth quarter.

In the fourth quarter, a bench unit led by Jordan McLaughlin, Milton, Troy Brown Jr., Anderson, and Reid went on a 13-0 run to put the game out of reach for the Knicks. The young players of the Timberwolves made enough plays to secure a 121-112 victory. Reid led the team with 22 points, while Towns and Edwards each scored 17 points.

The biggest takeaway from the game was the performance of the Timberwolves’ bench unit. Reid, Anderson, and Milton played exceptionally well together, scoring a combined 40 points on efficient shooting and dishing out 15 assists with only one turnover. Reid was especially impressive with his outside shooting and ability to play alongside Towns or Gobert. Anderson showcased his scoring and playmaking skills, while Milton excelled in both on-ball and off-ball roles.

The Timberwolves’ next game will be at home against Ra’anana Maccabi Ra’anana on Tuesday, followed by a game against the Chicago Bulls on Thursday.

Reference

Emily Turner

Emily Turner is your source for everything NBA. As a dedicated basketball enthusiast, she offers insights into NBA games, player highlights, trade rumors, and the league’s evolving dynamics. Emily’s love for the sport shines through in her comprehensive NBA coverage.