Knicks lose at home again
Timberwolves’ Towns misses first game of career after accident
Derrick Rose scored 20 points, Taj Gibson added a season-high 19, and the Minnesota Timberwolves overcame the first missed game of Karlanthony Towns’ career to beat the New York Knicks 115-104 on Friday night.
Towns’ streak of 303 consecutive starts was snapped when he was placed in the concussion protocol after a car accident. Towns was able to fly to New York after the accident Thursday in Minnesota, but was ruled out after further medical examination Friday.
The 2015 No. 1 draft pick’s streak of starts was the longest to begin a career since 1970-71. He just appeared in his second straight All-star Game and would have been playing not far from where he grew up in New Jersey had he not been hurt.
In his absence, Andrew Wiggins added 17 points after missing Minnesota’s two victories leading into the break with an illness, while Anthony Tolliver came off the bench for a seasonhigh 16 points.
Damyean Dotson and Allonzo Trier each scored 20 points for the Knicks in their 18th straight home loss. Raptors 120, Spurs 117: Kawhi Leonard had a go-ahead dunk with 15 seconds left and scored 25 points to help Toronto beat his former San Antonio teammates, spoiling Demar Derozan return. Leonard stole the ball from Derozan at midcourt and raced in alone for a one-handed slam. Traded to San Antonio in the offseason deal that sent Leonard to Toronto, Derozan received a warm welcome in the homecoming, but was denied a second victory over his former team. He finished with 23 points. Kyle Lowry and Derozan embraced near center court following the final whistle as the sellout crowd cheered.
Thon Maker made a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 16.7 seconds remaining and Detroit overcame Blake Griffin’s ejection to beat Atlanta. Reggie Jackson scored a season-high 32 points, and Andre Drummond had 26 points and 21 rebounds for Detroit. Griffin was ejected after his second technical foul in the third quarter. Trae Young led Atlanta with 30 points and 10 assists. Shen graduate Kevin Huerter did not play. Nuggets 114, Mavericks 104: Nikola Jokic had 19 points and 13 rebounds and Denver beat Dallas for its third straight victory. Paul Millsap added 17 points and 13 rebounds, and Isaiah Thomas had 16 points over 16 minutes in his second game since offseason hip surgery.
Pacers 126, Pelicans 111: Wesley Matthews scored 15 of his 24 points during a third-quarter rally, Domantis Sabonis had 18 points and 12 rebounds and Indiana overcame a 20-point deficit to beat New Orleans. Hornets 123, Wizards 110: Kemba Walker had 27 points and 11 assists in his first outing since the All-star Game and Charlotte overcame Bradley Beal’s 46 points for Washington. Nic Batum added 20 points for the Hornets in his first game this season at shooting guard. Clippers 112, Grizzlies 106: Montrezl Harrell matched his career high with 30 points, Danilo Gallinari added 23, including 10 straight points in the fourth quarter, and Los Angeles beat Memphis. Bulls 110, Magic 109: Lauri Markannen made two of three free throws with 1.5 seconds left to lift Chicago past Orlando. Markannen finished with 25 points and 11 rebounds. Evan Fournier led Orlando with 22 points.