The World Champion New York Knicks have lost their first two preseason games and we are resoundingly unconcerned. Winning all the marbles has quite a calming effect on the nervous system.
Tonight, they host the Minnesota Timberwolves (2-1) at Madison Square Garden. The furry bunch has shed Julius Randle and Naz Reid, but added LaMelo Ball and Jonathan Kuminga. If nothing else, it’s a team to watch for curiosity’s sake. In this tilt, the Knicks will be challenged to play at a faster pace, with Ball and Anthony
Edwards playing full-tilt and Kuminga adding vertical spacing. Then again, all of Minny’s starters are listed as day-to-day for rest, so this could look more like a scrimmage with a G League squad.
They last met December 23, 2025, when the Timberwolves won 115-104 in Minneapolis. Edwards scored 38 and Randle added 25; Karl-Anthony Towns poured in 40 for the Knicks with Jalen Brunson sidelined with an ankle issue.
Minnesota finished last season with a 116.8 offensive rating (12th) and 113.5 defensive rating (8th), scoring 118 points per game. Edwards remains the engine, scoring 28-plus points a night; Rudy Gobert still anchors the paint and owns the glass; and Jaden McDaniels supplies wing defense and secondary scoring.
New York is still searching for continuity after two losses. The starters have played limited minutes while they ramp up to full-game shape following their summer of love. Meanwhile, coach Mike Brown’s been mixing and matching the supporting cast as he seeks to lock down his roster. On the injury report, McCullar Jr., Agbaji, Eubanks and Bradley are listed as coach’s decisions, so James Wiseman and Bruce Brown should see more gametime off the bench.
Prediction
The Knicks should win if they control the glass, limit Minnesota’s transition, and get make their shots. If coach Chris Finch rests everybody, the Knicks should have an even easier time securing their first dub of the preseason. Knicks by nine.
Game Details
Who: New York Knicks (0-2) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (2-1)
Date: Monday, October 12, 2026
Time: 7:30 PM ET
Place: Madison Square Garden, NYC, NY
TV: MSG
Follow:@ptknicksblog andbsky
