There were a handful of defensive possessions in the Knicks’ 116-99 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday where the shell remained intact, the defense was sound, and Wolves shooters made

Randle believed in the Knicks and their potential when almost no one else in the NBA did. When Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Kawhi Leonard and almost every other free agent took a hard pass on the Knicks, Randle risked coming to a franchise that had just finished a 17-65 season and had gone six straight years without making the playoffs.

Friday night marked Randle’s first game back at Madison Square Garden since the Knicks traded him and Donte DiVincenzo to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the three-team blockbuster that brought center Karl-Anthony Towns to New York.

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) shoots at the basket as Boston Celtics forwards Xavier Tillman (26) and Jayson Tatum (0) defend in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) AP

Jalen Brunson led the way for New York with a strong 26 points, but his 9-23 shooting was a microcosm of the team's struggles all day. The Knicks shot 38% from the field as a team with only Cameron Payne (18 points off the bench) shooting over 50% from the field for the game.

Brunson scored 38 points and took control in overtime, while Hart recorded a triple-double and Bridges scored 23 points in the city where they became college stars.

Despite dropping four of their last six games, the Knicks are on pace to surpass last season’s record. With a roster boasting more offensive depth and defensive versatility than ever before, this team is positioned to make a deep playoff run.

It’ll represent the durable DiVincenzo’s first DNP of the season for the T’wolves and puts a damper on an anticipated matchup between offseason trade partners.

Jalen Brunson had 26 points and Cam Payne scored all 18 of his points in a span of 4:17, but the Knicks couldn't keep up with the Timberwolves.

Julius Randle marked his return to Madison Square Garden with a quiet game. But his impact was felt in the Minnesota Timberwolves’ 116-99 rout of his former team, the New York Knicks, on Friday night (Saturday Manila time).

Anthony Edwards dominated the struggling Knicks, who were again outplayed in the fourth quarter, again barraged by 3-pointers and again lost handily, 116-99, Friday night to the Timberwolves.