The New York Knicks return to Madison Square Garden tonight to face the Minnesota Timberwolves in their home preseason opener.
After sweeping their Abu Dhabi series against Philly, New York looks to sustain momentum as they work in their new offensive system under head coach Mike Brown.
The early adoption of Brown’s approach has emphasized ball movement, tempo, and a higher volume of three-point attempts, signaling a clear philosophical shift from the grind-it-out style of recent years. Tonight offers another window into how that system holds up under pressure — and whether the Knicks’ newfound depth can translate into regular-season reliability.
One of the most important things to watch will be how Malcolm Brogdon and Landry Shamet fit into Brown’s vision. Both may play key rotational roles, with Brown testing a deeper, more varied lineup than his predecessor. Brogdon’s steady playmaking and defensive intelligence give the Knicks a stabilizing force in the backcourt, while Shamet’s off-ball movement and perimeter shooting will be crucial in maintaining spacing in the new system.
Josh Hart’s absence, as he continues to rest a sore back, opens up minutes for those role players and adds urgency for younger pieces like Miles McBride to assert themselves.
Also key will be how Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns handle defensive assignments. Both were defensive liabilities in the postseason. New York will need more defensively from its top two scorers — especially in switching situations.
On the other side, the Timberwolves’ defensive rotations have been a mixed bag so far this preseason. Their communication and switching looked disjointed in their overtime loss to the Indiana Pacers, with several late breakdowns in pick-and-roll coverage. But when Minnesota’s starters have been on the floor, particularly Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert, their interior defense remains formidable.
How to Watch Timberwolves vs. Knicks
Tip-off for tonight’s Timberwolves-Knicks game is set for 7:30 PM Eastern / 6:30 PM Central at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
The game airs live nationally on NBA TV and locally on MSG 2.
Out-of-market viewers can stream the matchup on NBA League Pass, available for $16.99/month or $109.99 for the full season when purchased directly from the NBA website.
Amazon Prime Video offers some discounts as well as ways to watch for free here. League Pass subscriptions start at $12.74 for the first two months on Amazon (then $16.99/month) — and that includes NBA TV.
Fans can also choose a Team Pass to follow one team’s games for $13.99 per month — or watch tonight’s game free with a 7-day trial.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. New York Knicks
Date: Thursday, October 9, 2025
Time: 7:30 PM Eastern / 6:30 PM Central
Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
TV: NBA TV, MSG 2
Streaming: NBA League Pass, Gotham Sports