Anthony Edwards scored 44 points and led a second-half surge as the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Phoenix Suns 116-98 on Sunday night.
Julius Randle added 20 points in his first game since missing 13 contests with a groin injury, helping Minnesota secure just its third win in the past nine games.
Edwards took over in the third quarter, scoring 17 points to help turn a two-point halftime deficit into an 83-72 lead entering the fourth. The Timberwolves never trailed in the final period as they capitalized on Phoenix’s struggles, handing the Suns their 11th loss in the last 14 games.
Randle returns, Suns continue to slide
Donte DiVincenzo contributed 24 points, knocking down eight 3-pointers, while Randle provided a much-needed boost in his return to the lineup. The Timberwolves improved to 33-29, holding the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference as they aim to climb back into the playoff race.
Meanwhile, Phoenix’s postseason hopes continue to fade. Despite Kevin Durant’s 26-point effort, the Suns struggled with ball security, committing 22 turnovers that led to 40 Minnesota points. Devin Booker added 17 points, but it wasn’t enough to keep Phoenix from dropping another key game.
Turning point
Randle made his presence felt in the fourth quarter with a dunk over Suns rookie Ryan Dunn. Moments later, Dunn’s errant inbounds pass was stolen by Jaden McDaniels, who converted an easy layup to extend Minnesota’s lead to 95-78 with 8:21 remaining. The Suns never recovered.
The Timberwolves return home to face the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday, while the Suns host the Los Angeles Clippers in a crucial matchup as they attempt to keep their fading playoff hopes alive.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ