The New York Knicks defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 112-106. Julius Randle goes off while OG Anunoby has a stellar debut!
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The New York Knicks rang in the new year with a victory over the West’s best team, beating the Minnesota Timberwolves 112 to 106. The Knicks started slowly with a 23-point first quarter that left them trailing by 9. But they kicked into gear in the second quarter, holding Minnesota to 17 points for the quarter and entering halftime with a lead. New York rolled with a comfortable lead until Minnesota staged a late run and an attempt at a comeback, but the Knicks held on for a marquee win.
New York played its best defense since before Mitchell Robinson was injured, thanks in large part to new addition OG Anunoby. The Knicks’ offense might take some time to gel fully, but Julius Randle took care of the scoring part. There’s plenty of room to grow and a lot to talk about. So, let’s get into the player reviews.
New York’s starters pick Brunson up
Jalen Brunson: 16 PTS (5/23 FG, 1/9 3PT, 5/5 FT), 14 AST, 4 REB, 2 STL, 2 TO in 41 mins
You won’t find many worse shooting nights in Jalen Brunson’s career. Hlousyan into tough defense from Jaden McDaniels and bad luck with shots rimming out. Brunson’s footwork led to some nifty finishes at the rim, but he even missed some bunnies. The diminutive guard’s struggles stood out in crunch time, as he forced some shots without converting much.
I mentioned in the last recap that Brunson would face a crowd of defenders but would likely see an uptick in assists. That came to fruition with a season-high 14 assists as Brunson found teammates in myriad ways. It helped that his corner kickouts were rewarded with DiVincenzo and Anunoby knocking down their open looks.
Even with a high assist tally, I’d mark this as a poor performance for Brunson. He almost let the Wolves back in the game by forcing shots in the fourth quarter. But the rest of the team picked him up with their contributions, and it takes a great player to have 14 assists without living up to his standards. Brunson gets a 2 out of 5 for his poor efficiency but strong playmaking.
Donte DiVincenzo: 15 PTS (5/11 FG, 2/6 3PT, 3/4 FT), 2 AST, 4 REB, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 1 TO in 26 mins
Donte DiVincenzo looked more comfortable than ever, feeding off the new spacing by doing damage off baseline cuts and drives. He finished reverse layups or assisted OG Anunoby, who cut from the opposite corner. DiVo knocked down a pair of threes, but his shooting took a backseat to his work inside the arc for a change.
The Big Ragu’s defense is a seamless fit next to OG Anunoby. While Anunoby pressed lead ball-handlers, DiVo could slide into passing lanes or hedge to help defenders. He’s a smart and active help defender, which makes his impact stand out when he can be a menace off-ball.
DiVo’s performance didn’t stand out like Randle’s or OG’s. But his seamless fit on both sides of Tom Thibodeau’s scheme made DiVincenzo a perfect compliment for teammates. He gets a 3 out of 5 for giving everyone else a boost with his performance.
OG Anunoby: 17 PTS (7/12 FG, 3/6 3PT), 1 AST, 6 REB, 1 STL, 1 TO in 35 mins
We couldn’t script a better introduction for OG Anunoby. The new acquisition made an immediate impact by knocking down shots, playing selfless offense, and defending Minnesota’s best players. OG started the game with a three-pointer and a hockey assist off a drive and kick. He hit jump shots when he had space and repeatedly beat Minnesota on backdoor cuts into the paint. All of OG’s points came from assists by teammates, which highlights his ability to produce without needing the ball in his hands.
Anunoby’s defense was the true star of his performance. He shifted seamlessly from containing Anthony Edwards to locking down Karl Anthony-Towns. As the game wound down, you’d catch OG stepping up to Edwards as far as three-quarters court. Edwards’ production came predominantly when Anunoby rested or sat due to foul trouble. Foul trouble is notable, as Anunoby ran into foul trouble in the first quarter and fouled out with 4 minutes to go in the game, but that last foul was a dubious call.
All eyes were on OG Anunoby after the big trade. He came through with flying colors, showing why he made a perfect target for this roster. He made defense easier for everyone and hit shots his predecessor couldn’t consistently make. If this is how OG looks after a day with the playbook, I’m excited to see what the future holds as he gets comfortable. OG gets a 4 out of 5 for his two-way contributions.
Julius Randle: 39 PTS (14/24 FG, 2/6 3PT, 9/13 FT), 9 REB, 6 TO in 36 mins
Julius Randle carried the Knicks’ scoring with a huge first quarter and clutch baskets to seal the game in the fourth. The Wolves have plenty of size, but none of it mattered against Randle. The big man outmuscled defenders in the post, even including KAT. When defenders forced Randle away from the basket, he hit midrange jumpers effectively and even cashed in a pair of threes.
The Knicks have fewer playmakers, which put the ball in Randle’s hands more than usual. That mostly led to good results, but Randle struggled with turnovers. He ran into trouble when Minnesota crowded him or snuck a second defender into his blind spots. New York’s All-NBA big man also threw some passes with too much zip for teammates. The turnovers are an issue to monitor since the Knicks have fewer options to take the ball out of Randle’s hands.
But even with 6 turnovers, Randle’s performance was fantastic. He set the tone early, then put the game away late. On a night with Brunson struggling, Julius Randle showed why he’s New York’s second star. Randle picks up a 4.5 out of 5, with a perfect score eluding him due to the turnovers.
Isaiah Hartenstein: 7 PTS (2/3 FG, 3/4 FT), 3 AST, 9 REB, 3 STL, 3 BLK, 1 TO in 39 mins
While conversations about the win will focus on Julius Randle’s offense and OG Anunoby’s defense, Isaiah Hartenstein is a sneaky, unsung hero. His defense in the middle was nothing short of magnificent. All 3 of Hartenstein’s blocks came at the rim against Rudy Gobert. I-Hart also picked up steals by poking at ball-handlers as they tried to dribble through screens toward the basket.
I-Hart’s passing from the paint extended is an excellent fit with the Knicks’ starting lineup. He doesn’t have to roll all the way to the basket to be a threat, which leaves room for Brunson and Randle to attack the rim. If the defense collapses, ball handlers can feed Hartenstein in the short roll, where he’ll pick out cutters for clever lead passes. If all else fails, the Knicks’ center has his floater to fall back on.
I-Hart’s game didn’t require colossal production to carry a massive impact. He ticked off every part of the box score with some scoring, good rebounding, and plenty of Stocks. OG was the defensive star, but I-Hart’s impact wasn’t far behind. Hartenstein gets a 3.5 out of 5 for his success on both ends.
The Knicks’ second unit is missing a lead ball handler
Deuce McBride: 0 PTS (0/3 FG, 0/1 3PT), 1 TO in 7 mins
Miles McBride might see bigger opportunities after the trade, but it didn’t happen against Minnesota. He barely played and failed to convert his few opportunities. I won’t blame him for struggling in such a short time.
Quentin Grimes: 10 PTS (3/4 FG, 2/3 3PT, 2/2 FT), 1 AST, 3 REB in 18 mins
Quentin Grimes still needs more minutes. He played with vigor and poise that we’ve seen building since his shift to the bench. Grimes’ first shot was a turnaround jumper from behind the arc that exuded confidence. Then he got to attacking in transition, which led to a reverse at the rim and what should have been an and-one if not for the refs calling the reach without continuation.
Grimes looked active beyond scoring. He chased down a couple of loose balls for rebounds. His 1 assist might not impress, but he also threw a pair of passes that led to free throw attempts, including a pick-and-roll dime to Hartenstein. We’re seeing signs of more diversity in Grimes’ approach, which makes for a promising development.
I’m only disappointed that Grimes didn’t get more minutes. A combination of Grimes, Hart, and Anunoby set the defensive tone to start the second quarter and provided energy throughout the game. Grimes’ spacing is more important than ever, and I hope his minutes increase. Our former first-rounder gets a 2.5 out of 5 for a strong night in under 20 minutes.
Josh Hart: 8 PTS (3/7 FG, 2/3 3PT), 2 AST, 11 REB, 1 TO in 29 mins
Josh Hart’s chaotic approach fed into the Knicks’ best stretches of the game, but his minutes at shooting guard were shaky. Hart’s best moments came when Thibodeau paired him with DiVincenzo or Grimes, who could provide spacing on the opposite wing. When Hart lined up with Anunoby and Randle, the Wolves cheated off Hart and squeezed the court for Brunson and Randle late. That problem was only alleviated after OG fouled out.
That said, Hart doesn’t handle the substitutions. Even when the Knicks’ offense struggled, Hart could be relied on to chase down an offensive rebound or loose ball and give his team extra opportunities. Hart also punished the Wolves with threes when they left him wide open. My concerns about the jumbo-sized closing unit will ease if Hart can hit his open looks.
Hart’s defense gets a boost from Anunoby, similar to what I described for DiVincenzo. When Hart’s freed up to cheat passing lanes or make rotations early, his impact peaks. The new sixth man is a jack-of-all-trades, which works well next to New York’s assortment of scorers and defenders. Hart gets a 3 out of 5 for his strong game.
Precious Achiuwa: 0 PTS (0/2 FG), 3 REB in 9 mins
Precious Achiuwa struggled with Minnesota’s size in the middle. He looked significantly outmatched in a few minutes against Gobert. But that’s a tall order for any player, so let’s not judge him too harshly for a tough debut.
Tom Thibodeau’s defense might be back
If Tom Thibodeau grew a basketball player in a lab, he’d create someone like OG Anunoby. So, it’s no surprise that Thibodeau’s scheme looks fantastic with the Knicks’ new addition. Thibodeau can trust Anunoby to guard players of all sizes and playstyles, while the rest of his wings are switchable defenders who always give effort. With Hartenstein’s rim protection behind those pieces, Thibodeau finally has the weapons he needs to field a strong defense that can hide Brunson and Randle’s flaws on most nights.
This wasn’t a perfect night for Thibodeau. His bench will take time to find its shape, and his initial experiment put McBride and Achiuwa in tough situations. He also spent too much of the fourth quarter with a poorly spaced lineup that seemed too focused on size. But I think these are wrinkles Thibs can iron out over time.
Closing Thoughts
As a long-time Knicks fan, I settled on preparing for the worst-case scenario before this game. I figured OG would need time to find chemistry, and the Knicks would slip up against a team as strong as the Wolves. So, watching New York play fluid basketball was a pleasant surprise, even as they played exactly the way I imagined when I suggested a trade for Anunoby on the KFTV Christmas Wishlist.
New York is closer to contention than ever, but there’s still room to grow. The Knicks need one more ball handler to ease the burden on Brunson and Randle. That doesn’t necessarily require a trade if OG or Grimes steps up or any of the other players take on a more prominent role. New York might have the pieces they need now, and they have the trade assets for another addition if needed.
The New Year has brought us a new roster with renewed promise. The Knicks led the league in road games through December, so their schedule is lightening up. This feels like the perfect ramp to build momentum through the second half of the season and into the playoffs. I’m excited! I can tell that the entire fanbase feels the same.
The Chicago Bulls are next on Wednesday, which grants New York a good chance at another feel-good win. Let’s see if the Knicks can keep up the energy and meet hereafter. I’ll see you next, Knicks fam!
Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below! Stay tuned to KnicksFanTV.com for the latest Knicks news, rumors, and recaps throughout the NBA season. Subscribe to the newsletter for KFTV content and events, shop discounts, and more at bit.ly/kftvmail. And in case you missed it, check out CP The Fanchise on SNY with Dexter Henry and Jonathan Macri of Knicks Film School to discuss the OG Anunoby trade!
