The Phoenix Suns walked into Target Center and did it again — this time without late-game magic, but with four quarters of poise — stealing a 108-105 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves and snapping their five-game winning streak in Minneapolis.
Anthony Edwards poured in 40 points in a superstar effort, but Phoenix’s balance, a key ejection, and a blistering fourth-quarter run flipped the script on one of the West’s hottest teams.
A Wild Sequel to a November Heartbreaker
These two teams already had drama baked in. Back on
Nov. 21, the Suns stunned Minnesota
114-113 in Phoenix, becoming the
first team since January 2022 to win in regulation after trailing by
eight or more points in the final minute.
This latest matchup felt like the sequel — same tension, different storyline.
Instead of a desperate comeback, the Suns controlled the key moments down the stretch. The game was tied
84-84 entering the fourth quarter, but Phoenix hit the Wolves with a
14-3 run that created a crucial cushion.
Minnesota still clawed back and had a chance to tie in the final seconds, but
Jaden McDaniels missed a potential game-tying three with
3.7 seconds left.
Edwards Erupts, But Help Is Hard to Find
If you just looked at
Anthony Edwards’ box score, you’d assume Minnesota won comfortably.
-
40 points on 15-of-21 shooting- Aggressive downhill attacks, shot-making from all levels
- Consistent pressure on Phoenix’s defense all night
He got solid support from
Julius Randle, who added
21 points.
But beyond those two, the Wolves’ offense sputtered badly:
-
Naz Reid: 2-for-12 off the bench
-
Jaden McDaniels: 1-for-7
-
Donte DiVincenzo: 1-for-7
When Phoenix made its fourth-quarter push, Minnesota simply didn’t have enough reliable secondary scoring to keep up.
Rudy Gobert’s Ejection Changes the Game
One of the biggest turning points wasn’t a bucket — it was a whistle.
Rudy Gobert was having a strong night, with
15 points and eight rebounds, anchoring the paint and giving Minnesota structure on both ends.
Then everything changed in the third quarter.
Gobert was
ejected for a flagrant foul, cutting short what had been a productive performance.
Without him:
- Phoenix found more space in the lane
- Minnesota lost its defensive quarterback and best rim protector
- Rebounding and interior defense suffered at exactly the wrong time
That absence loomed large when the Suns opened the fourth with that
14-3 run, turning a tie game into a
98-87 lead.
Suns’ Balanced Attack Outsmarts the Wolves
The Suns didn’t have a 40-point scorer. They didn’t need one.
Mark Williams led the way with
22 points and seven rebounds, giving Phoenix a strong, steady interior presence.
Behind him, two key perimeter threats stepped up:
-
Collin Gillespie: 19 points
-
Dillon Brooks: 18 points
It was classic “strength in numbers” basketball. While Minnesota leaned heavily on Edwards, Phoenix spread the workload and stayed composed, especially late.
A few things stood out about the Suns’ approach:
-
Poise under pressure: After surviving the wild comeback game in November, Phoenix looked unfazed in crunch time this time around.
-
Attacking the Gobert-less paint: Once the big man was gone, the Suns were much more aggressive going inside.
-
Defensive focus on everyone not named Edwards: They essentially dared Minnesota’s role players to beat them — and they didn’t.
A “Tune-Up” Before a Bigger Stage
This wasn’t just any road win for Phoenix.
The game was described as the Suns’
final tuneup before heading to face
league-leading Oklahoma City in an
NBA Cup quarterfinal.
For a team trying to build momentum and identity, beating one of the West’s elite on the road — and doing it with composure — is exactly the kind of performance that can carry over into knockout-style competition.
What This Means for Both Teams
For the Suns:- They showed they can win
without a singular star going nuclear, leaning on depth and discipline.
- Their ability to close games — first in the wild November comeback, now in a controlled road finish — is becoming a pattern, not an accident.
- This win is a major confidence boost heading into high-stakes NBA Cup play.
For the Timberwolves:- Edwards is clearly ready for a leading-man role in big games — 40 points on elite efficiency is no fluke.
- But Minnesota’s supporting cast has to be more consistent, especially when defenses load up and dare others to beat them.
- Gobert’s ejection was a reminder of just how delicate their defensive ecosystem is when he’s not on the floor.
The Bigger Picture: A Budding Western Rivalry?
Two games. Two thrillers. Two Suns wins — each in a completely different fashion.
You’ve got:
- A
miracle comeback in November
- A
gritty, balanced road win in December
- Rising stars like
Anthony Edwards taking center stage
- A Phoenix team that refuses to blink in late-game chaos
If these early-season clashes are any indication,
Suns vs. Timberwolves is quietly turning into one of the West’s most entertaining matchups — and potentially a playoff preview with real stakes.
Sources
1. Phoenix Suns vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Live Score and Stats
2. Minnesota Timberwolves vs Phoenix Suns Full Game Highlights
3. Phoenix Suns show poise under pressure vs. Minnesota ... - YouTube
4. EXTENDED: SUNS at TIMBERWOLVES | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS
