Jalen Brunson led the way for New York with a strong 26 points, but his 9-23 shooting was a microcosm of the team's struggles all day. The Knicks shot 38% from the field as a team with only Cameron Payne (18 points off the bench) shooting over 50% from the field for the game.

The New York Knicks took a risk by trading Julius Randle after all he'd contributed. Unfortunately, it's looking like it was the right decision.

Exactly a year prior to his long-awaited MSG return, the highest mark of Julius Randle’s tenure was taking shape.

Friday night marked Randle’s first game back at Madison Square Garden since the Knicks traded him and Donte DiVincenzo to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the three-team blockbuster that brought center Karl-Anthony Towns to New York.

Randle played a secondary role in the Timberwolves’ 116-99 win, taking a backseat in the spotlight as Anthony Edwards dazzled with 36 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists.

Josh Hart pirouetted as he swiped the ball from Guerschon Yabusele, then floated the pass to Mikal Bridges for the alley-oop slam, then screamed as Bridges hung on the rim with one hand. That was the exclamation point on a Wednesday night when the ‘Nova Knicks’ fingerprints were all over a 125-119 overtime victory over the shorthanded 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center.

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) shoots at the basket as Boston Celtics forwards Xavier Tillman (26) and Jayson Tatum (0) defend in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) AP

Julius Randle marked his return to Madison Square Garden with a quiet game. But his impact was felt in the Minnesota Timberwolves’ 116-99 rout of his former team, the New York Knicks, on Friday night (Saturday Manila time).

Despite dropping four of their last six games, the Knicks are on pace to surpass last season’s record. With a roster boasting more offensive depth and defensive versatility than ever before, this team is positioned to make a deep playoff run.

Jalen Brunson had 26 points and Cam Payne scored all 18 of his points in a span of 4:17, but the Knicks couldn't keep up with the Timberwolves.

The Knicks, meanwhile, were inefficient offensively without Karl-Anthony Towns, who sat in street clothes — though not in Eagles gear this time — while nursing a sprained thumb. Jalen Brunson scored 26 points but shot just 9-for-23 with five assists. No other Knick had 20 points.

Josh Hart pirouetted as he swiped the ball from Guerschon Yabusele, then floated the pass to Mikal Bridges for the alley-oop slam, then screamed as Bridges hung on the rim with one hand. That was the exclamation point on a Wednesday night when the “Nova Knicks’” fingerprints were all over a 125-119 overtime victory over the shorthanded 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center.