The Minnesota Timberwolves walk away with the first win of Tuesday night’s playoff slate, overcoming the Phoenix Suns 105-93 to take a 2-0 lead on the series.
Jaden McDaniels paced the Wolves with 25 points, with Rudy Gobert and Mike Conley each adding 18 points. Minnesota had three more players — Karl-Anthony Towns (12), Anthony Edwards (15) and Nickeil Alexander-Walker (10) — score in double figures.
For the Suns, Devin Booker led the way with 20 points and Kevin Durant trailed shortly behind with 18.
This story will be updated throughout the night with thoughts on every game.
Timberwolves 105, Suns 93
Minnesota looks to take a commanding lead in Game 3 at 10:30 p.m. ET on Friday in Phoenix.
Wolves stop the Big 3
The Timberwolves entered this series facing questions about how they would handle the Suns’ star trio of Durant, Booker and Bradley Beal, but through two games of this series, the Suns have had no answers for the Timberwolves’ depth.
The Wolves got pedestrian games from Edwards (15 points, eight assists) and Towns (12 points, eight rebounds) in Game 2, but McDaniels and Conley more than made up for it.
The Timberwolves seemed to wear the Suns down as the game went on, turning a one-point halftime deficit into a seven-point lead after three quarters, and then blowing the doors open at the start of the fourth quarter to cruise. McDaniels scored 25 points on 10-for-17 shooting and grabbed eight rebounds while playing terrific defense on Durant, who had 18 points on 6-for-15 shooting.
Conley bounced back from a 2-for-12 Game 1 to go 7-for-13 and score 18 points in Game 2. By the end of the game, the Suns looked defeated in more ways than one.
The Wolves have kept the Suns stars from hurting them in two games. Booker scored a harmless 20 points before fouling out and Beal had 14 on 6-for-17 shooting.
Minnesota has shown it has counters for any success the Suns are having. In Game 1, it was Alexander-Walker and Naz Reid backing a huge game from Edwards. What was supposed to be one of the most competitive series in the first round has been dominated by Minnesota. It’s been the Suns’ Big 3 against the Wolves’ Big 9. And it hasn’t been close. — Jon Krawczynski, Timberwolves beat writer
Is this series over?
It’s not. But the Suns have issues that need immediate attention upon their return to the desert. Despite Tuesday’s final score, they were better in Game 2. In some areas. They rebounded better and held Edwards mostly in check. They were more physical, Booker exchanging shoves with McDaniels.
But the Suns have to find a way to get their Big 3 going. They have no other choice. It’s how this team was built, with Booker, Durant and Beal leading the way. Through two games that’s not how it’s played out in Minneapolis. Durant scored 31 in Game 1 but all three struggled to find rhythm in Game 2.
Minnesota’s the best defensive team in the league, so this isn’t surprising. Nor is it an easy fix. The Timberwolves have elite defenders in McDaniels and Gobert and another on the way in Alexander-Walker. But the Suns can’t win a rock fight. Gritty, scrappy, feisty — these are not words that describe them.
They have spurts when they can match an opponent’s toughness. But when adversity hits, they need the Big 3 to become the difference makers they’re supposed to be. It hasn’t happened yet in this series. And it’s likely their only chance. — Doug Haller, Arizona sports writer
Required reading
(Photo: David Sherman / NBAE via Getty Images)
