NBA Game Summary - Minnesota at New York

New York, NY (Basketball News) - Kevin Garnett poured in 24 points and grabbed 16 rebounds, to lead Minnesota past New York, 96-90, at Madison Square Garden.

Wally Szczerbiak also had 24 points and pulled down eight boards for the Timberwolves, who have won three straight games. Troy Hudson contributed 16 points in the win.

Stephon Marbury had 20 points, but left in the fourth quarter with a left shoulder injury for the Knicks, who have dropped two straight games since ripping off six consecutive wins to open the 2006 calendar year.

X-rays after the game revealed that Marbury suffered a sprained left shoulder, but did not have a fracture.

Quentin Richardson contributed 14 points and seven rebounds in the loss.

Minnesota had a five-point lead at the intermission and began the third period on an 8-1 run, keyed by four points from Marko Jaric, to grab a 60-48 lead. The Timberwolves continued to increase the margin moments later as Szczerbiak’s basket with 6:37 remaining in the period stretched the cushion to 66-50.

Trenton Hassell’s two free throws later in the frame made it a seemingly comfortable 72-53 contest, but New York fought back.

Trailing by 16 points in the waning minutes of the third, the Knicks closed the period on a 7-0 surge, with all seven coming from Marbury, to pull within 74-65 after the quarter.

New York fell behind by 11 points in the fourth period but refused to wither.

The Knicks came as close as two points when Nate Robinson buried a pair of free throws with 32 seconds left to make it 92-90.

Hudson’s three, though, with just seven ticks left sealed the game.

"There were two seconds left (on the shot clock) and the only thing I could do is shoot it," said Hudson. "I stuck with it. I have not been shooting well lately, but my legs are feeling good and I’m back into my normal routine again. Coach kept calling my number."

Minnesota led 25-23 after one quarter and held a 52-47 edge at halftime.

Garnett scored 15 points for the Timberwolves, who shot 50 percent in the first half. Marbury had 11 to pace New York, which connected on 49 percent of its attempts in the opening 24 minutes.