NBA Notes: Cavs, Darius Garland, Timberwolves, Anthony Edwards, Knicks

Cavaliers

Darius Garland was back, and the Cavaliers looked a lot like the Cavs again. He made his season debut Wednesday and Cleveland rolled past the 76ers, 132-121.

He only had eight points and four assists in 26 minutes. But the way he organized things changed the entire feel.

“Seeing the ball go through the hoop, passing the ball to (Donovan Mitchell), (Evan Mobley) and (Jarrett Allen) for sure,” Garland said. “It was great to be back with the teammates. Being around them makes me happy.”

He admitted he still needs to get his wind back. “When the first 3-pointer fell, it felt good,” Garland said.

Meanwhile, Mitchell erupted for a season-high 46.

“When you have a guy that can initiate, get the easy shots and make everyone’s job easier,” Mitchell said. “It puts everyone at ease.”

Coach Kenny Atkinson shared those sentiments.

“Those first seven minutes, that was Cavs basketball,” he said. “Darius got us in our comfort zone.”

Cleveland surged to a 30-13 lead early, and the offense finally felt like last season’s version of the top seed in the East.

It wasn’t perfect. But this was the team that played with pace, space, and purpose. You could feel and see it.

RELATED | Dribbles: Cavs roll past Sixers as Garland returns

Timberwolves

Anthony Edwards was simply happy to be back.

“It felt like forever,” he said after scoring 15 in his return from a hamstring injury, via Tim Bontemps of ESPN.

The Timberwolves led the Knicks at halftime, then gave up 83 in the second half and got run out of MSG, 137-114.

“We got absolutely beat up on the glass,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said. “Thirty-one second-chance points. They beat us to every loose ball.”

Minnesota (4-4) turned it over 17 times and gave the Knicks 19 extra shots.

“We’re never going to win like that,” Edwards added.

Knicks

Knicks big man Karl-Anthony Towns says he still feels the Timberwolves connection.

“I’m still stunned,” he said, via ESPN’s Vincent Goodwill. “I feel more like a Knick now, but it’s weird.”

Towns almost slipped and called Minnesota “we” in his presser, according to Goodwill.

“It’s deeper than basketball. It’s family,” Towns said.

He posted 15 points, 10 boards, four assists and two blocks. New York is now 5-0 at MSG.

For the record, Edwards laughed off getting dunked on by his former teammate.

“He’s strong as hell and he’s 7 feet tall,” Edwards said. “At that point, somebody’s gotta come help me.”