The New York Knicks anticipated some tension during their preseason game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Recently, the Knicks made a trade where they sent Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to Minnesota in return for Karl-Anthony Towns. Although Randle seemed to stay composed, DiVincenzo ended up in a heated confrontation with Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson, who is also the father of star player Jalen Brunson. It was evident that DiVincenzo still had lingering feelings from his time with the Knicks. Despite wanting to settle things privately, the tension was very apparent during the game on Sunday night.
Despite the drama, the Knicks came away with a 115–110 win. A new rivalry appears to be developing between the Knicks and the Timberwolves, who now feature two former Knicks stars. DiVincenzo had an impressive game, scoring 15 points on 6–11 shooting, along with seven assists and three rebounds. In his debut for the Knicks, Towns added 16 points, 16 rebounds, and three steals. Both teams clearly gained from the trade, with the Timberwolves benefiting from DiVincenzo’s strong performance and the Knicks recognizing the immediate impact of Towns.
After the game, Minnesota star Anthony Edwards spoke about DiVincenzo’s exit from New York, recognizing that the Knicks will feel his absence. Edwards pointed out that DiVincenzo set a franchise record for three-pointers made last season and was anticipated to be a significant contributor off the bench this year.
Following DiVincenzo’s departure, the Knicks are turning to Miles McBride to assume his shooting duties while also bolstering their defense. Although McBride may not possess the same playmaking skills, he is a stronger defender and recorded a higher three-point percentage on fewer attempts last season. The goal is for McBride to take on a larger role to help offset the scoring lost with DiVincenzo’s exit.
Despite the changes, the Knicks are gearing up for a successful season. While the recent departures were thought to be vital components of a championship-caliber team, the front office chose to strategically revamp the starting lineup. The addition of Towns not only addresses a crucial need at center but also enhances the team’s spacing and offensive options. As the Knicks look ahead, they will depend on their reconfigured roster to vie for a deep playoff run, with new rivalries and ongoing tensions bringing added excitement to the upcoming season.
Leave a Reply