The New York Knicks overcame the Minnesota Timberwolves with a 112-106 victory during Monday’s NBA action, led mainly by Julius Randle’s impressive 39-point contribution and OG Anunoby’s solid debut.
Anunoby, recently traded from Toronto, scored 17 points in his first appearance for the Knicks. His performance and Randle’s heroics helped snap the Knicks’ three-game losing streak.
Jalen Brunson also played a pivotal role, scoring 16 points and setting a personal best with 14 assists. The Knicks’ strategic move to include Anunoby in the starting lineup paid off, providing a much-needed defensive boost against the Timberwolves, the current leaders of the Western Conference.
Despite Anunoby’s recent arrival and ongoing acclimatization to the team’s dynamics, he displayed remarkable skill, going 7-12 from the field. Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau praised Anunoby’s ability to adapt quickly to the team’s playstyle.
“I thought first game, impressive, really just to be ready and to kind of figure it out like on the fly,” Thibodeau said.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: OG Anunoby, Julius Randle, New York Knicks, Minnesota Timberwolves Updates
The Timberwolves, led by Anthony Edwards with 35 points and Karl-Anthony Towns with 29, attempted a comeback from a 22-point deficit but fell short. Randle’s critical scoring spree, including a three-point play in the final moments, secured the Knicks’ win.
“I thought our energy just kind of dipped,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said. “I thought our start to the game was good, we made some shots, we got a few stops, but I didn’t think our energy was super high and it kind of maintained that level. They found another gear and we didn’t respond.”
The game also marked a period of adjustment for the Knicks, with Randle acknowledging the challenge of playing without former teammates RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley, who were part of the trade deal with Toronto.
“But that’s part of the league,” Randle said, “just change and adjustment.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: OG Anunoby, Julius Randle, New York Knicks, Minnesota Timberwolves Updates
Anunoby, set to become a free agent after the season, expressed his focus on settling into his new environment in New York, emphasizing the need to familiarize himself with the Knicks’ strategies and team culture.
“Even during the game, they were telling me: ‘Go here. Do this,’” Anunoby said. “They were helping me out for sure, a lot of them, and I’m thankful for it.”
Looking ahead, the Timberwolves are set to host the New Orleans Pelicans, while the Knicks will face off against the Chicago Bulls in their upcoming games.
