BBNBA: Timberwolves win, Knicks continue to slide
We’re still a little down after what we saw this past weekend from the Kentucky Wildcats. So, let’s try to find some solace in how some of our guys played in the association last night.
KAT and Anthony Edwards power Timberwolves to win
Don’t look now, but the Timberwolves are slowly heading towards becoming a middle-of-the-pack franchise in the NBA. Following the 116-111 win over the Trail Blazers on Sunday, the Wolves sit at 12-15 on the year. They’re by no means a good team yet, but this Timberwolves squad isn’t looking like the abomination we’ve become accustomed to seeing.
Along with 24 points from Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns dropped 23, 10 rebounds and four assists on 7-17 shooting. Averaging 24 and nine now on the year, Towns is making an All-NBA case once again while Minnesota still tries to figure out the trajectory of their franchise.
Let’s not forget about Jarred Vanderbilt either. Since being inserted into the starting lineup this year, Vanderbilt has been an absolute stalwart on the defensive side of the ball. Last night, Vanderbilt had one of his better offensive games with 14 points on 6-8 shooting to go along with eight rebounds. He also added three steals and a block in the process. Playing alongside KAT and Anthony Edwards in a very specific role, Vanderbilt has shined. He’s averaging 1.5 steals and nearly a block a game in only 23 minutes of action per contest. Just a reminder, Vanderbilt is still only 22 years old.
Knicks struggles continue against Bucks
The Knicks really have no idea how to play with pressure. For the first time in almost a decade, the New York Knicks came into this season with legitimate expectations to compete in the Eastern Conference. The season is far from over and the Knicks still only sit three games under .500, but it’s not looking great as of now.
Top 10
- 1New
Shedeur Sanders prank call
New video/audio emerges
- 2Hot
RG3 hammers NFL execs
Over Shedeur Sanders situation
- 3Trending
Shedeur Sanders
Breaks silence after Day 2
- 4
10 Best Available Players
After Rounds 1-3 of NFL Draft
- 5
Picks by Conference
SEC, Big Ten continue to dominate Draft
Get the On3 Top 10 to your inbox every morning
By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.
After losing to Milwaukee 112-97 at Madison Square Garden on Sunday, the Knicks have now fallen in six of their last seven games. R.J. Barrett has regressed tremendously so far this season, Julius Randle is back down to averaging 19 points a game on 42% shooting overall. The only positives with this team right now are Immanuel Quickley and Obi Toppin, who are stuck on the bench right now as Tom Thibodeau attempts to figure out a starting lineup.
Julius threw up another brick on Sunday, finishing with nine points on 2-9 shooting with a 1-5 mark from deep. Nerlens Noel dropped a donut in 28 minutes of action. Quickley sparked the bench once again, but his unpleasant shooting performance from three continued as he went 1-6 from deep. Kevin Knox got his first opportunity at serious minutes this year and threw up every shot he could possibly get. Knox finished with 18 points on 5-12 shooting from deep.
The immediate future doesn’t look any better for the Knicks either, they’re lineup is in complete flux and nothing seems to work. If things don’t change soon, the Knicks are on their way to being the most disappointing franchise this season.
Statistics
| Player | Result | Points | FG (3PA) | Rebounds | Assists | Steals | Blocks | TOs | Mins | +/- |
| Karl-Anthony Towns (MIN) | 116-111 W @ POR | 23 | 7-17 (0-3) | 10 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 35 | 19 |
| Kevin Knox (NYK) | 112-97 L vs. MIL | 18 | 6-15 (5-12) | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 29 | -18 |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC) | 103-84 L vs. DAL | 18 | 6-15 (1-5) | 4 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 33 | -8 |
| Keldon Johnson (SAS) | 112-97 W vs. NOP | 17 | 5-12 (3-5) | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 29 | 6 |
| Jarred Vanderbilt (MIN) | 116-111 W @ POR | 14 | 6-8 (1-1) | 8 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 31 | 9 |
| Immanuel Quickley (NYK) | 112-97 L vs. MIL | 11 | 4-10 (1-6) | 1 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 26 | -8 |
| Hamidou Diallo (DET) | 116-104 L vs. DET | 11 | 5-8 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 20 | -4 |
| Julius Randle (NYK) | 112-97 L vs. MIL | 8 | 2-9 (1-5) | 10 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 35 | -17 |
| Malik Monk (LAL) | 106-94 W vs. ORL | 2 | 1-4 (0-2) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 2 |
| Nerlens Noel (NYK) | 112-97 L vs. MIL | 0 | 0-2 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 28 | 1 |
| DeMarcus Cousins (MIL) | 112-97 W @ NYK | 0 | 0-1 (0-1) | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 12 | -3 |
| Trey Lyles (DET) | 116-104 L vs. DET | 0 | 0-1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8 | -8 |
| Anthony Davis (LAL) | 106-94 W vs. ORL | DNP – Knee | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Mychal Mulder (ORL) | 106-94 L @ LAL | DNP – Coach’s Decision | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Rajon Rondo (LAL) | 106-94 W vs. ORL | DNP – Coach’s Decision | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Willie Cauley-Stein (DAL) | 103-84 W @ OKC | DNP – Personal | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
Today in the NBA
7:00: Heat (Herro, Adebayo – Out) @ Cavaliers
7:00: Kings (Fox) @ Raptors
7:00 (NBA TV): Warriors @ Pacers (Jackson)
7:30: Bucks (Cousins) @ Celtics (Freedom)
7:30: Rockets (Wall – Out) @ Hawks
8:00: 76ers (Maxey) @ Grizzlies
8:30: Hornets (Washington, Richards) @ Mavericks (Cauley-Stein -Out)
9:00: Wizards @ Nuggets (Murray – Out)
10:30 (NBA TV): Suns (Booker) @ Clippers (Bledsoe, Boston)
Discuss This Article
Comments have moved.
Join the conversation and talk about this article and all things Kentucky Sports in the new KSR Message Board.
KSBoard