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.

The game is Minnesota's first at New York since the Knicks acquired Towns from the Timberwolves and sent Julius Randle and DiVincenzo to Minnesota just after training camps opened. The Knicks won at Minnesota last month.

Karl-Anthony Towns likely is the player the Knicks can least do without, especially with Mitchell Robinson still unable to practice.

The Knicks, meanwhile, were inefficient offensively without Karl-Anthony Towns, who sat in street clothes — though not in Eagles gear this time — while nursing a sprained thumb. Jalen Brunson scored 26 points but shot just 9-for-23 with five assists. No other Knick had 20 points.

Anthony Edwards had 36 points, a season-high 13 rebounds and seven assists, leading the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 116-99 victory over the New York Knicks on Friday night. Edwards made eight 3-pointers and reserve Naz Reid was 6 for 6 behind the arc as the Timberwolves matched their season best with 22 3-pointers in 40 attempts (55%).