Mike Brown focuses on basic offensive strategies during Knicks' preseason

The New York Knicks lost their third consecutive preseason game on Monday, falling 122-104 to the Minnesota Timberwolves at Madison Square Garden. Head coach Mike Brown stated that he is challenging his players by implementing simple and predictable offensive strategies. "The truth of the matter is I’m kind of hamstringing our guys offensively," Brown said. "Real generic with what we’re running offensively because I want to see if they can execute when a team gets rhythm and they start denying or putting pressure on us because they know what’s coming. Can we execute our counters? Can we still get to our spots offensively and execute our actions? Can we play fast doing it? Those are little things I’m looking at offensively." Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 20 points, shooting 6-for-13 and 1-for-4 from three-point range. The starters played approximately half the game, while Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels combined for 48 points, including nine three-pointers. The Knicks have been outscored by 43 points in their preseason games. Brown emphasized the importance of process over results, stating, "For me, it’s more about the process, not necessarily the end result. … Defensively, are we making sure we’re playing with next-play speed? And, for the most part, I thought we did. We had some breakdowns execution-wise in terms of what our assignments were, but those things can be cleaned up in time. We’ll keep watching film and keep drilling it and all that other stuff." Off the bench, Tony Bradley scored 10 points in seven minutes, going 5-for-5 from the field, while Pacôme Dadiet contributed seven points, including two three-pointers. None of the starters are expected to play in the upcoming game against Toronto, which is the second game of a back-to-back schedule. Brown mentioned that the individual players will decide whether they want to travel for the game. Most starters did not speak to reporters after the game. Edwards from the Timberwolves also declined postgame interviews.