Even without their optimal roster, the New York Knicks performed impressively Thursday against the Minnesota Timberwolves, in their first meeting since a blockbuster trade signaled the Knicks’ shift to a championship-or-bust mentality.
The Knicks hope for similar results Saturday, as they begin a potentially advantageous part of their schedule by visiting the New Orleans Pelicans in the final regular-season game between the teams.
Both teams were off Friday after playing on the road Thursday, when the Knicks routed the Timberwolves 133-107 and the Pelicans fell to the Houston Rockets 133-113.
Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges, the Knicks’ two significant offseason additions, combined for 61 points Thursday, including 27 in the second quarter when the Knicks took control by outscoring the Timberwolves 41-18.
Towns finished with 32 points and 20 rebounds in his first game back in Minnesota since being traded to New York in a three-team deal on October 2, which saw core Knicks Donte DiVincenzo and Julius Randle sent to the Timberwolves.
The Knicks have a chance to extend their positive momentum into the new year. Five of New York’s next seven games through January 1 are against teams that entered Friday ranked among the bottom four in the NBA in winning percentage.
After visiting the 5-23 Pelicans—whom the Knicks beat 118-85 on December 1—New York hosts the Toronto Raptors (7-21) on Monday before playing consecutive road games against the Washington Wizards (4-21) on December 28-30.
The Knicks open January by hosting the Utah Jazz (6-20) on New Year’s night.
The Knicks hope their lineup will deepen Saturday with the return of Josh Hart, who missed Thursday’s game due to personal reasons. Hart has recorded two triple-doubles this season and is averaging 14.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game.
The injury-plagued Pelicans’ loss to the Rockets continued an extended slump. New Orleans has lost 20 of 22 games since a 3-3 start.
New Orleans has used 17 different lineups this season but has been able to utilize its optimal starting quintet of Brandon Ingram, Herbert Jones, C.J. McCollum, Daniel Theis, and Zion Williamson just three times.
While McCollum and Jones are back from the injuries that cost them a combined 31 games, Theis was sidelined with a chronic neck injury Thursday, and Ingram is out indefinitely with a left ankle injury suffered on December 14. Williamson hasn’t played since November 6 due to a left hamstring injury.
The Pelicans set a season high in points allowed Thursday, falling behind 39-25 after the first quarter and never threatening the Rockets. New Orleans has lost 16 games by at least 10 points.
