Oct 12, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson (11) is guarded by Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Ayo Dosunmu (13) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Oct 12, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson (11) is guarded by Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Ayo Dosunmu (13) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
After coming off a historic championship run, the New York Knicks seem eager to run it back this year. Having retained most of their key players, the Knicks certainly have the roster to win it all again. Unfortunately, it appears as if they are facing some shortcomings at the moment.
Monday night marked the Knicks’ third preseason outing, an opportunity to undo their errors in the first two games and secure their first victory. Unfortunately, after a 122-104 loss at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves, New York finds itself losing its third consecutive game, raising concerns about the team’s current state.
Jalen Brunson had a solid performance, leading the team’s offensive effort with 20 points, five rebounds, and three assists. He was closely supported by OG Anunoby, who logged 15 points and three steals. While these were meaningful contributions, it simply wasn’t enough against Minnesota’s core of Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, and LaMelo Ball.
Since it is the preseason, these losses don’t necessarily affect the team’s position entering the new campaign. However, when examining the game closely, here are three takeaways that demand attention:
The Wolves’ Superstar Duo Was On Fire
It goes without saying that Anthony Edwards was the standout performer for the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night. Having returned to his role as a scorer rather than a facilitator, Edwards shone, posting 26 points, three rebounds, three assists, and a steal while shooting 8-16 from the field and 5-8 from three-point range.
It is a well-known fact that Anthony Edwards is one of the most proficient offensive players in the NBA. However, after being paired with a point guard like LaMelo Ball, Edwards has gained the freedom to play his own game.
Needless to say, Edwards’ performance was spurred in part by LaMelo Ball, who continues to showcase his value to the Wolves. Although he didn’t have a great shooting night, notching only 10 points on 3-7 shooting from the floor, Ball racked up seven assists, four of which resulted in points for his running mate.
For the most part, the Wolves’ superstar duo seems to be settling quite well. Given how they will be the driving force behind Minnesota this season, the franchise will view this development favorably.
The Knicks’ Perimeter Defense Was Absent
One of the biggest issues for the Knicks on Monday night was their perimeter defense. While the Knicks boast remarkable wing depth with players like OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart on their roster, New York’s perimeter looked porous against the Timberwolves.
Aside from the onslaught carried out by Anthony Edwards, as a team, the Wolves shot 42-78 (54%) from the field and 18-34 (53%) from three-point range. When considering that players like Jaden McDaniels (22 PTS, 4-5 3PT) and Ayo Dosunmu (11 PTS, 3-5 3PT) were the only ones who got going from beyond the arc other than Edwards, New York struggled to keep up.
The New York Knicks’ title charge was defined by the team’s identity as a gritty, hardworking unit. While the franchise has retained these pieces and remains capable of executing the same way, the team’s defensive effort has been underwhelming.
In some ways, this may hint at the Knicks’ need for a reliable veteran with a high motor and defensive upside like Bruce Brown. Unfortunately, New York’s current requirements are slightly different at the moment.
Tony Bradley Strengthened His Case To Earn A Roster Spot
As mentioned earlier, this preseason is also important for the Knicks from a roster perspective. As New York looks to finalize its 15-man squad before the new campaign begins, these games are a vital opportunity for the many veterans on the training camp roster to prove why they deserve a spot on the final roster.
Currently, consensus suggests that the Knicks have shown a preference to select a big man to address the issues in their existing big man rotation. To that end, most reports have suggested that former No. 2 overall pick James Wiseman is viewed as a frontrunner to secure his place in the rotation. However, veteran center Tony Bradley made a solid case to be considered alongside Wiseman.
Bradley was one of the standout performers off the bench for the Knicks. With 10 points and two rebounds on 5-5 shooting from the field in seven minutes of playing time, Bradley was the only player in the second unit to record double-digit scoring. With a +/- of -1, he was one of the better performers for New York on Monday night.
In many ways, Tony Bradley’s outing could be dubbed a flash in the pan. Still, considering that the Knicks will expect rebounding and reliable interior scoring from their third center in the rotation, the 28-year-old is a solid pick.
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TAGGED:Anthony EdwardsJalen BrunsonJosh HartLamelo BallMinnesota Timberwolves ArchiveNew York Knicks ArchiveOg Anunoby
Siddhant Gupta is a basketball columnist at Fadeaway World, based out of Mumbai, India. He combines firsthand playing experience with thoughtful analysis to report on the NBA's ever-evolving world. A lifelong athlete, Siddhant's perspective is rooted in years on the court, giving his work a unique edge that resonates with both casual fans and seasoned ones.Before joining Fadeaway World, he spent two formative years at Sportskeeda, where he sharpened his skills and had the opportunity to interview NBA legend Ray Allen during his time in India. A diehard Los Angeles Lakers fan since 2008, Siddhant doesn't just report on the game—he lives it. Beyond his work, he is a student of the game, constantly learning, debating, and engaging with the local and global basketball communities.