Suns Defeat Timberwolves 108–105, Ending Minnesota’s Five-Game Win Streak

AP Photo/Abbie Parr

  The Phoenix Suns edged out the Minnesota Timberwolves 108–105 on Monday night in Minneapolis, overcoming a 40–point performance by Anthony Edwards and halting Minnesota’s five–game winning streak. Mark Williams led Phoenix with 22 points and seven rebounds, while Collin Gillespie and Dillon Brooks added 19 and 18 points, respectively. The victory served as the Suns’ final test before traveling to Oklahoma City for Wednesday’s NBA Cup quarterfinal. Despite the loss, Edwards delivered one of the most efficient scoring nights of his season, shooting 15–for–21 from the field. Julius Randle contributed 21 points, but Minnesota’s supporting cast struggled throughout the game. Naz Reid shot just 2–for–12 off the bench, and starters Jaden McDaniels and Donte DiVincenzo combined to shoot 2–for–14. The game’s turning point came midway through the third quarter, when Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert—who had been productive with 15 points and eight rebounds—was ejected for a flagrant foul after striking Williams with a forearm as the Suns’ center elevated for a dunk. Minnesota, already struggling with offensive rhythm, was forced to rely on small–ball lineups that failed to slow Phoenix’s scoring runs.

  The Suns, who defeated Minnesota 114–113 on November 21 in a dramatic last–minute comeback, seized control early in the fourth quarter. A 14–3 run broke an 84–84 deadlock and pushed Phoenix to a 98–87 lead. Although the Timberwolves mounted a late charge and trimmed the deficit to three, McDaniels missed a contested three–pointer with 3.7 seconds remaining, sealing Minnesota’s fate. Phoenix now turns its attention to Wednesday’s NBA Cup quarterfinal matchup against the league-leading Oklahoma City Thunder. The Timberwolves, looking to regroup after the emotional loss, will travel to San Francisco for a Friday matchup against the Golden State Warriors.