NBA: Timberwolves stay atop West, remain undefeated at home

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley (10), celebrates with guard Anthony Edwards (5) after making a three-point shot during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks, Monday, Nov. 20, 2023, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

MINNEAPOLIS — Anthony Edwards had 23 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, Karl-Anthony Towns scored 20 points, and the Western Conference-leading Minnesota Timberwolves beat the New York Knicks 117-100 on Monday night.

Minnesota (10-3) is 6-0 at home — tying a franchise record to start a season — and has won nine of its past 10 games. That stretch included seven straight wins, the franchise’s longest streak since 2004 — which was the last year the Wolves made it past the first round of the playoffs.

“I think everyone in the locker room comes together and understands not only that we want to do something special and have a successful season,” Towns said, “but I think all of us understand what it takes to have that kind of season.

“We all have the will that’s needed to win on a daily basis, because we’ve seen how when you don’t have the will how seasons turn out. We also, at the end of the day, understand that Minnesota has lacked one word, and it’s execution. If we can execute at a high level, we can see our fortunes change here.”

everyone ate. 🍽️

Ant – 23 PTS / 10 REB / 5 AST / 2 STL
KAT – 20 PTS / 5 REB / 4 AST / 3 STL / 2 BLK
Rudy – 16 PTS / 7 REB / 1 AST / 2 BLK
NAW – 11 PTS / 3 REB / 2 AST
Mike – 11 PTS / 1 REB / 5 AST / 1 BLK
NAZ – 10 PTS / 3 REB / 1 AST / 1 STL pic.twitter.com/ORGl3KDo2R

— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) November 21, 2023

Jalen Brunson scored 25 points and Julius Randle had 21 for New York, which shot 34.8% (32 of 92) to Minnesota’s 51.3%.

The Knicks (8-6) came in allowing a league-low 104.9 points per game.

“We missed some bunnies inside, and then we also missed some wide-open 3s,” said New York coach Tom Thibodeau, whose team saw a three-game win streak snapped. “You’ve got to make some shots.”

After a quiet first half, Edwards scored nine points during a 16-5 Wolves run to open the third quarter. Mike Conley’s third 3-pointer of the night gave them a 76-61 lead with 7:53 remaining in the period.

They never trailed by less than 11 the rest of the way.

Rudy Gobert scored 16 points for the Wolves. Minnesota forward Jaden McDaniels left with a sprained right ankle in the first quarter and didn’t return. That opened up extended minutes for Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who finished with 11 points, three rebounds and three assists.

“I think we’re finding a cohesiveness together,” Alexander-Walker said. “I can’t speak on how big this group has been in terms of chemistry on and off the court, and I think it’s just helping us … on the court playing for each other, cutting, moving, defending, rebounding, trying to do the small little things to be a good team.”

Naz Reid added 10 points as the Wolves’ bench outscored New York’s reserves 43-30.

“We have a deep team; we have a lot of guys who can come in and guard,” Minnesota coach Chris Finch said. “Everyone kind of stepped up.”

Quentin Grimes started for the Knicks after missing their previous two games with a sprained left wrist.

UP NEXT

Knicks: Host Miami on Friday.

Timberwolves: Host Philadelphia on Wednesday.