Three Things to Watch for in Knicks’ Preseason Game vs. Timberwolves

The New York Knicks are still waiting on their first preseason win as the defending champions host the Minnesota Timberwolves at Madison Square Garden on Monday night.

New York lost 120-97 to the Philadelphia 76ers last Monday and then fell 111-109 to the Washington Wizards at home on Thursday.

Head coach Mike Brown has started guard Jalen Brunson, guard Josh Hart, guard Mikal Bridges, forward OG Anunoby and center Karl-Anthony Towns in both games, and none of them played more than 21 minutes against Washington.

Brown was not happy with the physicality of his whole roster after the first loss, and everyone outside the starting five is playing for a roster spot or a role.

Plenty of guards are fighting for minutes.

Guard Landry Shamet has been the best of the group, scoring 10 points in Philadelphia and 13 against Washington while making five of his nine three-point tries.

Guard Miles McBride has made only one of his nine threes, while guard Jordan Clarkson, guard Jose Alvarado and guard Tyler Kolek are also in the mix, along with guard Bruce Brown, who came to camp on a one-year deal to earn a roster spot.

I think Shamet has done the most to earn steady minutes, but a strong night from McBride would make this a tougher call.

The center spots behind Towns are just as open.

Center Andre Drummond has looked like the top backup so far, and he enjoyed his first home game at the Garden on Thursday by posting eight points, nine rebounds, four assists and two steals.

Asked about playing at the Garden as a Knick, Drummond said, “Grew up a Knicks fan and the fact that I'm sitting in this locker room. I've always wondered what this locker room looks like,” in a video from the locker room.

Center James Wiseman has scored 12 points in 18 minutes over the two games, while center Tony Bradley and forward Drew Eubanks each played six minutes in Philadelphia before sitting out against Washington.

In my view Drummond has the backup job in hand, which leaves the others fighting for any minutes left.

The last thing to watch is whether the reserves can play with the toughness Brown wants.

Forwards Pacome Dadiet and Mohamed Diawara have each played 30 minutes over the first two games, and Dadiet finished at minus-18 in Philadelphia, so both need to hold up on defense.

Minnesota is 2-1 in the preseason after beating the Milwaukee Bucks 116-97, losing 123-112 to the Indiana Pacers and edging the Miami Heat 125-124 on Saturday.

Guard Anthony Edwards, point guard LaMelo Ball and center Rudy Gobert all started the opener in Milwaukee but did not play in Miami, where guard Bones Hyland scored 23 points.

The Knicks visit the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday before hosting them again on Thursday, and they open the regular season against the 76ers at home on Tuesday, Oct. 20.

With a game the next night, I expect Brown to lean on his bench again on Monday, and nobody outside the starting five should feel safe until the final roster is set.