BREAKING: Knicks hit Minneapolis with late injury twists, Wolves smell an opening
The New York Knicks landed in Minnesota facing more than a tough road floor. Hours before tip, the rotation shifted again. I can confirm the Knicks have ruled out multiple key pieces for their only visit to Target Center this season. The final pregame update still leaves Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby as true game time decisions. That uncertainty has flipped the tone of this matchup. The Timberwolves now hold real leverage, and both coaches are scrambling on the whiteboard.
What we know right now
The Knicks staff held Brunson and Anunoby through extended testing and treatment today. Both are listed as questionable, and both will warm up with the intent to play if pain allows. New York has already pulled veteran starters from this trip, which forces Tom Thibodeau to stretch his bench and change coverages. The Wolves, at full strength, have the size and length to punish a short-handed roster. That includes Rudy Gobert at the rim, Karl-Anthony Towns in space, and Anthony Edwards downhill.
Minnesota has the best record in the West for a reason. They defend, they rebound, and they win the shot quality battle. New York counters with grit, pace control, and half-court execution, usually driven by Brunson’s pick and roll. If he sits, the math shifts fast.
Game time calls on Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby will swing matchups, minute loads, and the spread. Both are being evaluated right up to warmups.
How the matchup shifts
If Brunson is limited or out, the Wolves can top-lock shooters and sit on drives. Mike Conley can chase, Jaden McDaniels can switch, and Gobert can drop to erase paint touches. That lets Minnesota stay home on corners, which hurts the Knicks’ kickout threes.
If OG sits, Anthony Edwards gets cleaner lanes. Edwards has bullied single coverage all month, and OG is one of the few wings who can slow his first step without help. Without OG, New York must show early help, which opens Towns above the break and Conley in the slot. Gobert will live on lobs if the tag is late.
Karl-Anthony Towns also drags bigs into space. If the Knicks rely on backup centers, Towns will test their feet with pick and pop and quick face-ups. Second chance points become a problem too, because Naz Reid crushes weak-side glass.
Knicks players who must answer
Tom Thibodeau will ask for hard minutes from his role players. Expect a physical plan, fewer early-clock shots, and relentless rebounding.
- Donte DiVincenzo must fire with no hesitation from deep.
- Josh Hart has to guard multiple spots and win the glass.
- Isaiah Hartenstein must anchor the short roll game and protect the rim.
- Miles McBride’s on-ball pressure could change tempo.
If the frontcourt is thin, look for more small-ball with Hart at the four, and guards crashing from the nail. Every 50-50 ball matters because the Wolves stack runs with defense and offensive boards.
The coaching chess
Thibodeau wants a slow grind, late clock sets, and a low turnover night. The Knicks need to force Minnesota into midrange pull-ups, then clean the miss. That means early body on Gobert, early peel help on Edwards, and quick closeouts to Towns.
Chris Finch will chase pace on live rebounds. He can stagger Edwards and Towns to punish bench units, and he will hunt mismatches with empty corner pick and roll. Conley’s patience against pressure is the quiet key. If he keeps the ball moving, Minnesota will find clean threes and dunker-spot finishes.
Foul trouble is a swing point. If Hartenstein picks up two early, New York’s paint defense drops a tier. If Gobert collects quick fouls on offensive screens, Minnesota’s rim deterrence slips and the Knicks’ guards get to the cup.
Watch the whistles on drives. Early bonus for either side changes the entire shot chart and the rotation plan.
What this means tonight and beyond
This game touches more than one night in December. The Knicks are fighting to keep pace in a packed East, and they have a tough road stretch ahead. A short-handed win in Minneapolis would juice the locker room and calm the December noise. A loss is not fatal, but minutes management becomes a story if injuries linger.
For Minnesota, this is a business-night opportunity. Good teams handle short-handed visitors at home. A solid showing protects their perch near the top of the West and sharpens habits that matter in April.
Lines are moving toward Minnesota when Brunson or OG trend out. Totals dip if New York leans on pace control and half-court defense.
The bottom line
All eyes are on the tunnel. If Brunson or Anunoby gives it a go, New York has enough shot creation and edge to make this a fourth quarter fight. If both sit, Minnesota’s size, defense, and home floor tilt the game their way. Either way, expect a heavy, playoff-style tone, and a spotlight night for role players on both sides. Buckle up, Minneapolis. Tip is coming, and the stakes just climbed. 🏀
