Takeaways from Timberwolves’ Latest Defensive Collapse in Loss to Knicks
The Knicks dominated inside, scoring 62 points in the paint and converting 31 second-chance points from 21 offensive rebounds. Riding high after convincing wins over Charlotte and Brooklyn, Minnesota faced a harsh reality check on Wednesday in New York.
New York’s offense overwhelmed Minnesota’s defense en route to a decisive 137-114 victory at Madison Square Garden, dampening the return of Anthony Edwards to the Timberwolves' lineup.
Anthony Edwards' Return and Performance
Edwards returned after missing four games due to a hamstring strain. Though initially expected to be sidelined for two weeks, Grade 1 hamstring strains typically require a 7–10 day recovery. Wednesday marked the 10th day since Edwards' injury.
Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said before the game that Edwards was “itching” to get back on the floor.
Despite this, Edwards struggled and was largely ineffective during his 29 minutes on the court. Minnesota was outscored by 25 points while he played. To compete against stronger teams, Edwards will need a more impactful performance.
Team Performance Against Strong Opponents
Minnesota had no trouble defeating lower-ranked teams like Charlotte and Brooklyn. However, better opponents have exposed weaknesses this season.
- The Timberwolves have been defeated by Denver, the Los Angeles Lakers (twice), and now the Knicks.
- They have beaten Charlotte, Brooklyn, and Indiana, all of which are considered likely to finish near the bottom of the NBA standings.
The loss highlighted Minnesota's struggles against quality teams and underscored the need for improvement in defense and consistency.