Grading Knicks Players After Disappointing 99-116 Loss Against Timberwolves

Minnesota capitalized early, as veteran Mike Conley, reinserted into the starting lineup in place of the injured Donte DiVincenzo, set the tone with 10 of his 13 points in the first quarter before Edwards took over. The Timberwolves never relinquished control, stifling New York's efforts to mount a comeback.

Despite the loss, Knicks fans found a reason to cheer when a fan sank a halfcourt shot between the third and fourth quarters to win a 2025 KIA Telluride. However, the highlight for the Knicks on the court was Payne’s dynamic bench performance, as his buzzer-beater to end the first quarter marked a high point in a game where New York’s offense sputtered beyond Brunson’s contributions.

The loss was New York’s sixth in their last nine games, underscoring their struggles to maintain consistency as they adjust to life without Towns. Let's grade each Knicks player on Friday night. 

Jalen Brunson: B+

Stats: 26 PTS, 1 REB (0 OREB, 1 DREB), 5 AST, 2 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 2 PF, 9-23 FG, 3-7 3PT, 5-5 FT, -16, 36 MIN

Brunson was the Knicks’ offensive leader, scoring 26 points on a somewhat inefficient 9-of-23 shooting night. Despite the struggles from the field, he showed poise at the free-throw line, going 5-of-5, and contributed five assists to keep New York’s offense afloat. His two steals were bright spots defensively, but he couldn’t carry the team singlehandedly, as evidenced by his -16 plus/minus.

OG Anunoby: B+

Stats: 18 PTS, 10 REB (4 OREB, 6 DREB), 3 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 1 TO, 1 PF, 5-10 FG, 3-6 3PT, 5-6 FT, -18, 38 MIN

Anunoby provided a strong two-way effort with 18 points and a team-high 10 rebounds, including four on the offensive glass. He was efficient from beyond the arc, hitting 3-of-6 three-pointers, and added solid contributions defensively with a block and a steal. However, his -18 plus/minus reflected the Knicks' overall struggles when he was on the floor.

Cameron Payne: B

Stats: 18 PTS, 2 REB (0 OREB, 2 DREB), 1 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 0 PF, 7-10 FG, 4-5 3PT, 0-0 FT, +2, 13 MIN

Payne was a bright spot off the bench, scoring 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting in just 13 minutes. His electric five-minute stretch spanning the first and second quarters gave the Knicks a brief spark, and his +2 plus/minus was a rare positive in a tough game for New York.

Mikal Bridges: C+

Stats: 15 PTS, 4 REB (3 OREB, 1 DREB), 5 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 1 PF, 6-17 FG, 3-7 3PT, 0-0 FT, -21, 39 MIN

Bridges contributed 15 points and 5 assists but shot just 6-of-17 from the field in a tough offensive outing. While his effort on the boards and passing were commendable, his inefficiency and inability to make a larger impact defensively (-21 plus/minus) limited his effectiveness.

Josh Hart: C+

Stats: 12 PTS, 9 REB (2 OREB, 7 DREB), 0 AST, 3 STL, 0 BLK, 3 TO, 4 PF, 3-12 FG, 1-5 3PT, 5-6 FT, -24, 38 MIN

Hart fought hard on the glass, grabbing nine rebounds, and recorded three steals to showcase his defensive instincts. However, his offensive struggles were glaring, as he shot 3-of-12 from the field and committed three turnovers. Despite his hustle, his -24 plus/minus highlighted the team’s defensive lapses during his minutes.

Precious Achiuwa: C+

Stats: 6 PTS, 9 REB (4 OREB, 5 DREB), 3 AST, 1 STL, 3 BLK, 0 TO, 3 PF, 3-10 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, -3, 36 MIN

Achiuwa had an active night defensively with 3 blocks and a steal, along with 9 rebounds. Offensively, he struggled, making just 3-of-10 shots. While his hustle and presence in the paint were evident, his lack of efficiency and inability to convert easy opportunities hurt the Knicks’ chances.

Miles McBride: C

Stats: 4 PTS, 0 REB, 0 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 0 PF, 2-6 FG, 0-4 3PT, 0-0 FT, +1, 19 MIN

McBride scored just 4 points on 2-of-6 shooting and went 0-for-4 from beyond the arc. He was active defensively with a steal but failed to make a significant impact in his 19 minutes, offering little to offset the Knicks' scoring woes.

Jericho Sims: C

Stats: 0 PTS, 5 REB (2 OREB, 3 DREB), 2 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 2 PF, 0-2 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, 0, 19 MIN

Sims brought energy on the boards with 5 rebounds, including 2 offensive, and chipped in 2 assists. However, he didn’t score in 19 minutes, missing both of his field-goal attempts and struggled to impact the game offensively or defensively.

Ariel Hukporti: N/A

Stats: 0 PTS, 0 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 PF, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, -2, 1 MIN

Hukporti played just one minute and did not record any stats. His limited time on the floor prevented him from making any impact.

Tyler Kolek: N/A

Stats: 0 PTS, 1 REB (0 OREB, 1 DREB), 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 PF, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, -2, 1 MIN

Kolek logged one minute of play, grabbing a defensive rebound but failing to make any other contributions. His role was too limited to evaluate meaningfully.

Pacome Dadiet: N/A

Stats: 0 PTS, 0 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 PF, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, -2, 1 MIN

Dadiet also played just one minute and did not register any statistics. Like Kolek, his brief stint provided no opportunity to influence the game.