Knicks crumble late as Anthony Edwards leads Timberwolves to 116-99 victory

The Knicks collapse during the fourth quarter, dropping a 116-99 decision at home to the Timberwolves in a game that started competitive but ended in disappointment for the home crowd. Despite solid contributions from Jalen Brunson (26 points), OG Anunoby (18 points, 10 rebounds), and Cameron Payne’s surprising bench performance (18 points), the Knicks couldn’t hold it together when it mattered most.

It was Anthony Edwards who stole the show, putting on a fourth-quarter clinic to seal the deal for the Timberwolves. Edwards, who finished with a game-high 36 points, delivered 11 of those in the final frame, making every shot he attempted when it mattered. His perfect fourth quarter included going 3-for-3 from the field, 2-for-2 from beyond the arc, and 2-for-2 at the free-throw line.

The turning point came midway through the fourth. After McBride’s jumper trimmed the Wolves’ lead to 94-89, Edwards exploded. First, it was a thunderous dunk with 7:21 remaining that sent shockwaves through the arena. Then, two minutes later, he buried a three-pointer, stretching Minnesota’s lead to a commanding 102-89. And just when the Knicks were looking for a lifeline, Edwards nailed a dagger from 25 feet with 1:59 left, effectively ending the game and pushing the Wolves ahead 112-97.

For the Knicks, the scoring from Payne was one of the few bright spots. The backup guard went off for 16 of his 18 points in a scintillating 5:43 span during the second quarter. But for reasons that left many scratching their heads, coach Tom Thibodeau played Payne sparingly in the second half—just two minutes in the third and a little over three minutes in the fourth—during which Payne took only one shot. Statistically, Payne and McBride were the only Knicks players to finish with a positive +/- in the game, adding another layer to the coaching decisions that left fans frustrated.

Elsewhere, Mikal Bridges added 15 points and 5 assists, while Josh Hart contributed a well-rounded stat line of 12 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 steals. Still, the Knicks’ overall shooting woes and lack of defensive stops in the fourth sealed their fate. The Wolves shot a blistering 42-of-79 (53%) from the field, including an incredible 22-of-40 (55%) from three. By comparison, the Knicks went 35-of-90 (39%) from the field and 14-of-34 (41%) from three—numbers that simply didn’t keep pace with the visitors.

Adding to the evening’s drama was the return of former Knick Julius Randle, who received a standing ovation during introductions. However, his performance was muted, finishing with 8 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists. Donte DiVincenzo was unavailable, leaving a hole in the Wolves’ rotation.

Minnesota’s bench also played a significant role, with Naz Reid chipping in 23 points to complement Edwards’ heroics. The Knicks had no answer for Reid’s energy or Edwards’ dominance in the fourth, and the Timberwolves left Madison Square Garden with a commanding win.

For the Knicks, this one stings, not just because of the loss but because they were within striking distance early in the fourth. Instead, it turned into another frustrating example of how quickly things can unravel when a star like Edwards gets hot.