New York Knicks vs Minnesota Timberwolves Picks and Predictions January 17th 2025

Knicks Await Karl-Anthony Towns’ Status Against Timberwolves

Karl-Anthony Towns’ impact was undeniable in his first game against the Minnesota Timberwolves as an opponent last month. Now, the New York Knicks hope he can return to the lineup when they host his former team on Friday night in the teams’ second and final regular-season meeting.

Both squads had Thursday off after playing on Wednesday night in dramatic fashion.

• New York (26-15) squandered a 16-point lead but managed to pull out a 125-119 overtime win against the Philadelphia 76ers without Towns.
• Minnesota (24-18) nearly completed a 24-point comeback before falling 116-115 to the Golden State Warriors at home.

Towns’ Status in Question

Towns, who is day-to-day with a sprained right thumb, was also reported to have a bone chip in the injured thumb, which he hurt in Monday’s 124-119 loss to the Detroit Pistons.

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Without him, the Knicks are 2-2 this season, but his production has been difficult to replace. Towns is averaging 25.4 points and 13.9 rebounds and has 34 double-doubles in 38 games. He was dominant against Minnesota in their first meeting on Dec. 19, tallying 32 points and 20 rebounds in a 133-107 Knicks rout.

With Towns out, Jericho Sims stepped into the starting lineup on Wednesday but scored just eight points in 23 minutes. Precious Achiuwa provided a boost off the bench with 10 points, six rebounds, and three blocks in 30 minutes.

Despite the uncertainty around Towns, the Knicks remain focused.

“It’s always the next-man-up mentality,” said Jalen Brunson, who dropped 38 points, including eight in overtime against Philadelphia. “Regardless of who is out, we’re always ready to go.”

Timberwolves’ Inconsistencies Continue

Minnesota’s post-Towns era has been a rollercoaster ride.

• The Timberwolves have four winning streaks of at least three games
• They also have four losing streaks of at least three games

Their latest loss to Golden State encapsulated their season-long inconsistency. Minnesota fell behind 34-10 in the first quarter before clawing back to tie the game at 108-108 with 1:07 left. But late miscues, including an Anthony Edwards missed 3-pointer and a failure to secure a defensive rebound in the closing seconds, cost them the win.

“The game was lost in the first quarter,” said Minnesota coach Chris Finch. “And then you have to play perfect.”

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Key Players to Watch

• Jalen Brunson (NYK): 26.0 PPG, 7.5 APG – The Knicks’ floor general has been on fire lately and will need to carry the offense if Towns remains out.
• Anthony Edwards (MIN): 25.9 PPG – The Timberwolves’ leading scorer is coming off a 30-point performance and will be key to Minnesota’s offense.
• Julius Randle (MIN): 19.5 PPG, 4.3 APG – The former Knick has settled into his role with Minnesota and is a versatile scoring threat.

Playoff Race Implications

Both teams are firmly in the playoff picture, but their seeding remains up for grabs.

• The Knicks sit fifth in the East, hoping to gain ground on Cleveland and Milwaukee.
• The Timberwolves are eighth in the West, sitting just one game behind the Lakers for the final guaranteed playoff spot.

With both teams desperate for consistency, Friday’s showdown could be a key momentum builder for the second half of the season.