Timberwolves Make History
In a crucial showdown, the Suns fell at home again today. Despite a stellar performance from their star Devin Booker, who scored 49 points, and Kevin Durant adding 33, the Timberwolves’ duo of Towns and Edwards shone with 28 and 40 points respectively. Edwards, in particular, unleashed his firepower in the second half, leading his team to a 122-116 victory. This victory marks the first time in franchise history that the Timberwolves have swept a playoff series in four games, advancing to the second round for the first time since the 2003-04 season.
A Nail-biter Affair
The game was neck and neck throughout. The Suns narrowly led 26-25 at the end of the first quarter and managed to extend their lead to 51-46 by halftime, courtesy of a buzzer-beater from Booker. However, Edwards’ three-point barrage in the third quarter led the Timberwolves to close the gap, trailing 92-90 by the end of the third quarter. Edwards maintained his hot hand in the fourth quarter, propelling the Timberwolves into the lead.
Edwards’ Dominance
With 2 minutes and 12 seconds remaining, Edwards drove to the basket for a powerful one-handed dunk, giving the Timberwolves a 115-111 lead and forcing the Suns to call a timeout. Although Edwards briefly rolled his right ankle during the drive, he continued to play through the pain. However, with 1 minute and 41 seconds left, Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch was accidentally bumped by his own guard Mike Conley, injuring his knee and needing assistance off the court, missing the opportunity to witness his team’s victory from the sidelines.
Second Half Surge
After a relatively quiet first half with only 9 points, Edwards exploded in the second half, culminating in another spectacular dunk with 19.5 seconds left, pushing his total to over 40 points. He finished the game with 40 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists, complemented by Towns’ 28 points and 10 rebounds. Their combined efforts led the Timberwolves to sweep the Suns in a historic fashion, ending the series in just four games.
Booker’s Heroics
Despite the Suns’ loss, Booker delivered an outstanding performance, scoring a game-high 49 points, while Durant contributed 33 points. However, one of the Suns’ “Big Three,” Bradley Beal, struggled with only 9 points on 4-of-13 shooting, fouling out early. With today’s defeat, the Suns have now suffered six consecutive playoff losses spanning two seasons, marking a disappointing chapter in their franchise history. (Lvbet)
