Second half dooms Wolves in loss to Knicks: 5 things that stood out

Second Half Dooms Wolves in Loss to Knicks: 5 Things That Stood Out

The Timberwolves' defensive effort and rebounding fell short Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden. Their struggles in those areas proved decisive as they suffered a 137–114 loss to the New York Knicks.

First Half Promise Fades

The Wolves (4–4) opened strong with a 13–4 run and led 58–54 at halftime. Yet the momentum shifted completely after the break, with New York controlling both remaining quarters and outscoring Minnesota 83–56 in the second half.

Knicks Dominate Key Moments

Midway through the third quarter, the Knicks began to pull away. Minnesota couldn’t stop New York’s scoring bursts or secure defensive rebounds, and the visitors never managed another rally.

Standout Performances

OG Anunoby led New York with 25 points.
Jalen Brunson contributed 23 points, 7 rebounds, and 10 assists.
Four other Knicks players reached double figures.
For Minnesota, Julius Randle scored 32 points against his former team.
Anthony Edwards had a quiet night in his return to action.

Shooting Wasn’t the Issue

Both teams shot efficiently from the field. The Knicks hit 54 percent overall and 45 percent from three-point range, while the Wolves shot 48 percent and also made 19 three-pointers. Turnovers were similar, with New York committing 14 and Minnesota 17.

Rebounding Made the Difference

The most significant gap in this 23-point defeat came down to rebounding — New York consistently secured second-chance opportunities that Minnesota couldn’t match.

Author’s Summary

The Timberwolves showed early promise but were outworked in the paint and on defense, allowing the Knicks’ balanced attack to dominate the second half at MSG.

Sports Illustrated — 2025-11-06