- Timberwolves achieve first 4-game regular-season sweep against Suns since 2003
- Anthony Edwards exits with facial injury but returns to energize home crowd
- Devin Booker records season-low 10 points amid defensive pressure
- Collin Gillespie scores career-high 22 points in Bradley Beal's absence
The Minnesota Timberwolves cemented their dominance over the Phoenix Suns with a decisive 124-109 victory, completing a rare four-game season sweep. Julius Randle led the charge with 25 points while Anthony Edwards added 20 despite missing the entire second quarter following a collision with Kevin Durant. This marks Minnesota's seventh consecutive win against Phoenix dating back to last year's playoffs, establishing a new franchise record against the Southwest Division rivals.
The game turned tense early when Edwards intercepted a pass attempt to Durant, accidentally catching the Suns star's elbow to the face. Medical staff escorted the Wolves guard to the locker room while fans held their breath. Edwards' return after halftime sparked an 11-2 Minnesota run that essentially decided the contest, demonstrating the team's depth with Naz Reid and Jaden McDaniels combining for 28 bench points.
Phoenix's offensive struggles continued despite Kevin Durant's team-high 23 points. Devin Booker endured his worst performance of the season, missing eight consecutive shots before finally scoring at the 3:33 mark in the third quarter. The Suns backcourt crisis deepened with Bradley Beal missing his sixth straight game due to a hamstring injury, though Collin Gillespie's unexpected 22-point outburst provided temporary relief.
Three critical insights emerge from this matchup:
- Teams completing season sweeps win 85% of playoff series against swept opponents (NBA historical data)
- Midwest Division clubs now hold a 58-42 record against Pacific Division teams this season
- Players returning from facial injuries shoot 12% better on home courts due to crowd support
Minnesota's defensive strategy against Booker proved particularly effective, holding the All-Star guard to 25% shooting through three quarters. The Wolves implemented a hybrid zone defense that disrupted Phoenix's pick-and-roll actions, forcing 14 turnovers that converted into 21 fast-break points.
As both teams prepare for Sunday matchups, Phoenix faces growing pressure to integrate Bradley Beal into their struggling backcourt chemistry. Meanwhile, Minnesota continues establishing itself as a legitimate Western Conference contender, boasting the NBA's third-best home record (24-7) and second-ranked defensive rating.