Minnesota Timberwolves at New York Knicks Date: November 5th, 2025 Time: 6:30 PM CST Location: Madison Square Garden Television Coverage: ESPN, FanDuel Sports Network – North Radio Coverage: KFAN FM, Wolves
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As long as Karl-Anthony Towns is wearing a Knicks jersey and Julius Randle has “Minnesota” stitched across his chest, Wolves–Knicks games are must-see TV. It’s like watching your ex walk into the party with your old hoodie on and pretending you’re totally fine. Spoiler: you’re not.
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This first meeting between last year’s conference finalists lost a little sizzle when Anthony Edwards’ hamstring decided to stage a one-man protest. He’s been cleared for contact, but he’s not yet activated, which means he’s probably sitting this one out at Madison Square Garden. That’s a shame, because Ant in MSG has the potential for a 40-piece, dunk-on-your-head performance that lives forever in Twitter clips and Knicks fan nightmares. Instead, the Wolves will lean heavily on Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, two former Knicks who just torched Brooklyn last night. DiVincenzo dropped 25 and looked like the masked vigilante version of himself, while Randle casually tossed out a triple-double (19-11-10) like he was ordering room service. If the Barclays appetizer was any preview, the Garden might get the full-course chaos meal on Wednesday.
Keys to the Game
1. Turn the defense up to 11.
The Wolves started Monday’s win over Brooklyn late, lazy, and distracted. They coughed up nine turnovers in the first quarter, and Finch looked like he was ready to yank the plug. That can’t happen at MSG. The Knicks, led by Jalen Brunson and KAT, will punish every lazy rotation. Minnesota has to channel that fourth-quarter defense from Brooklyn, when they turned into a boa constrictor and choked the life out of the Nets. Gobert’s rim protection, McDaniels’ on-ball intensity, and Randle’s ability to bully without fouling are the whole formula here. Don’t coast. Don’t switch lazy. Don’t let Brunson cook you on pump-fakes.
2. Avoid foul trouble like it’s the plague.
Jalen Brunson is a foul-drawing magician. He’s not quite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander level, but close. McDaniels and DiVincenzo both got into early trouble against Brooklyn, and Finch had to throw his “Baby Wolves” trio of Rob Dillingham, Jaylen Clark, and Terrence Shannon Jr. out there together. It worked against a winless Nets team; it won’t against a battle-tested Knicks squad. Minnesota needs its defensive anchors on the floor, not on the bench looking frustrated. Gobert also can’t afford any cheap ones battling Mitchell Robinson or Towns in the post.
3. The reserve guards must rise up.
If Ant sits, expect Mike Conley to step back into the starting lineup and steady the offense. But the bench unit of Dillingham, Bones Hyland, and TSJ has to be ready. MSG doesn’t care that you’re 20 years old and wide-eyed. Dillingham showed flashes of chemistry with Gobert in Barclays, but he’ll need to bring that confidence under the bright lights. Conley’s job? Be the adult in the room, hit open threes, and make sure the kids don’t implode.
4. Julius Randle: This is your movie.
Let’s be real: this is the “Julius Randle Revenge Game.” Last season’s MSG visit came too soon after his mid-season injury; this time, he’s in phenomenal shape, finally healthy, and stepping into the role of top dog with Ant sidelined. Unlike KAT, Julius doesn’t have a release valve like Brunson to bail him out now. He is the Wolves’ Brunson. When Randle’s engaged, he’s a walking bulldozer who can pass out of doubles, hit kickouts to DiVincenzo and McDaniels, and finish through contact. If he dominates, Minnesota has a puncher’s chance. If he doesn’t rise to the occasion or finds himself in foul trouble, it’s lights out.
The Big Picture
Both teams enter 4–3, both coming off needed wins, both trying to find that early-season groove. For Julius Randle, this isn’t just another night at MSG. It’s a chance to remind everyone he’s still a problem. The Wolves don’t need a miracle; they just need a guy who plays like he still owns the building. If Randle delivers and the Wolves play with that fourth-quarter fire from Monday, they can turn this from a “get-right” game into a statement one.
