Timberwolves Outmuscle Suns, Win Fourth Straight
The Minnesota Timberwolves showed their resilience in a hard-fought victory against the Phoenix Suns.
Despite falling behind by as much as 12 points in the second quarter, the team rallied back, led by a stellar second-half performance from Anthony Edwards, a season-high from Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and a third-straight, 20-plus-point performance from Julius Randle.
Second-Half Surge from the Timberwolves
The first career ejection of head coach Chris Finch in the third quarter seemed to be a turning point for the Wolves. The team’s response was immediate and impressive, dominating the game from that point forward.
Edwards turned up the heat, playing downhill and getting into the paint with frequency and adding a career-high four blocks on defense. The Wolves’ team defense sparked plenty of fastbreak opportunities, including a couple of massive dunks from Edwards and some open 3-point attempts for his teammates. The Timberwolves held the Suns to just 18 points in the third quarter and began to build a lead that they wouldn’t relenquish.
One of the key contributors to the Wolves’ sudden defensive improvement was first-year guard Jaylen Clark, who made his non-garbage time NBA debut and showcased his defensive prowess. The former college defensive player of the year has the ability to shut down opponents and navigate screens, adding another dimension to the Timberwolves’ already formidable defense. There seems to be a legitimate possibility that Clark plays rotation minutes again on Thursday in Utah, especially if Naz Reid remains out due to illness.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Timberwolves’ victory over the Suns, tune into the Locked On Wolves podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Wolves Podcast:
• Rob Dillingham’s solid performance off the bench
• Julius Randle’s recent surge in form
• Preview of the upcoming game against the Utah Jazz
