Mike Brown’s vision for the Knicks is becoming increasingly clear, and Wednesday night offered perhaps the most telling glimpse yet of the team’s potential when his strategies are fully in play.
The scoring was well-distributed, especially important after Jalen Brunson’s rocky start. The ball movement was exceptional, prompting cheers from the crowd. The bench contributed significantly, showing continuous improvement, and Brown’s strong three-point shooting helped the Knicks pull ahead in the third quarter.
Last season, both the Knicks and Timberwolves had similar outcomes, each bowing out in the conference finals. However, the distinctions became apparent during Wednesday’s game, where the Knicks triumphed 137-114 at Madison Square Garden, raising their record to 5-3 for the season and achieving five straight wins at home.
This marked the third encounter between these teams since last year’s high-profile trade, which brought Karl-Anthony Towns to the Knicks while sending Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to the Timberwolves. So far, the Knicks have claimed victory in two of those games, taking the lead in their matchup.
After experiencing a three-game losing streak, the Knicks have now reversed that into a three-game winning streak, quieting initial concerns regarding Brown’s fit with this roster.
In the third quarter, the Knicks outshined the Timberwolves by a margin of 12 points, maintaining that momentum. Brunson entered halftime with just seven points but easily picked up the pace, scoring 12 in the third and finishing with 23 overall.
OG Anunoby, often overlooked for his understated style and influence, showcased his skills on Wednesday, leading the team with 25 points, eight rebounds, and two steals, along with solid defensive plays.
On the other hand, Randle and DiVincenzo had decent performances facing their former team, though Anthony Edwards, who returned from a hamstring injury after missing four games, struggled to make an impact.
Mikal Bridges may not have been prominent on offense, but he effectively contained Edwards defensively.
Mitchell Robinson delivered a strong showing in his matchup against Gobert but, like many, struggled to box out effectively. He achieved a career-high nine offensive rebounds, totaling ten, alongside eight points and three blocks.
Towns was sidelined during the game due to illness, but managed a notable double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds against his former teammates. He had an impressive period in the second quarter, overpowering Gobert and Edwards for some highlight dunks.
He pulled off a no-look pass and a behind-the-head assist to Bridges and Jordan Clarkson respectively, contributing to an 18-11 scoring run during that quarter.
Josh Hart finally hit his stride, scoring a season-high 18 points with four made three-pointers, greatly aiding the Knicks’ dominant 53-26 advantage in bench scoring.
If the Knicks can sustain this level of play, they have the potential to challenge opponents in numerous ways. That really seems to encapsulate the essence of Brown’s vision.
