PHOENIX — The Minnesota Timberwolves emerged victorious over the Phoenix Suns with a 116-98 win on Sunday night, fueled by Anthony Edwards’ impressive 44 points and Julius Randle’s significant contribution of 20 points. This game marked Randle’s return to the court after a 13-game absence due to a right groin strain.
Edwards proved to be a standout performer, particularly in the third quarter where he chalked up 17 points. The Timberwolves, who had been facing a two-point deficit at halftime, managed to shift the momentum to their favor during the third, ending it with an 83-72 lead. In the final quarter, they maintained control to secure a much-needed victory, only their third in the last nine matches.
Donte DiVincenzo added value with 24 points, making an impressive eight three-pointers. Randle’s return provided a much-needed boost to the Timberwolves, hinting at a potential climb in the Western Conference standings as they pursue a playoff spot.
On the other side, the Phoenix Suns continued their struggles, marking their 11th loss in the last 14 games. Despite having a complete roster available, they couldn’t clinch a win against another team aiming for the playoffs. Kevin Durant was the leading scorer for the Suns with 26 points, and Devin Booker added 17 points to the tally.
During the first half, Phoenix had maintained a narrow lead, heading into halftime with a 51-49 advantage. Randle was the top first-half scorer, contributing 16 points. Despite these efforts, the Suns were unable to capitalize on their early lead, falling short against a reinvigorated Minnesota side.
A crucial moment came when Randle delivered an electrifying dunk over Suns rookie Ryan Dunn. Immediately afterward, Dunn made a costly error on the inbounds pass, resulting in an easy layup by Jaden McDaniels after a steal. This sequence pushed the Timberwolves further ahead with a 95-78 lead with just over eight minutes left in the game.
A telling statistic from the game was Minnesota’s ability to turn Phoenix’s mistakes into opportunities, scoring 40 points from 22 turnovers committed by the Suns.
Looking ahead, the Timberwolves are set to face the 76ers on Tuesday, while the Suns will host the Clippers, needing to arrest their slide to keep playoff aspirations alive.
