As the clock wound down in the fourth quarter, Anthony Edwards sunk a crucial jumper, his triumphant roar echoing through the arena. Asserting his dominance, he pounded his chest, a symbolic gesture of the Minnesota Timberwolves’ commanding performance in yet another playoff triumph.
Through three games of this series, the Timberwolves have established themselves as the undisputed leaders.
Anthony Edwards led the charge with an impressive 36-point contribution, complemented by Rudy Gobert’s formidable 19 points and 14 rebounds. Their collective effort propelled the Timberwolves to a resounding 126-109 victory over the Phoenix Suns, securing a commanding 3-0 lead in this first-round matchup.
The momentum shifts to Phoenix for Game 4 on Sunday, where Minnesota aims to clinch the series sweep.
From the opening tip-off, the Wolves dictated the pace of the game.
Their dominance was most evident in the third quarter, where a barrage of 3-pointers, including a standout performance from Nickeil Alexander-Walker, propelled them to a 22-point lead entering the final period.
Despite valiant efforts from Bradley Beal, Kevin Durant, and Devin Booker, who combined for 76 points, the Suns struggled to penetrate Minnesota’s defense, particularly in the paint where Rudy Gobert stood tall.
The Wolves capitalized on their halftime lead, extending it to 69-58 early in the third quarter, fueled by sharpshooting from Mike Conley and Karl-Anthony Towns. Alexander-Walker’s hot hand further widened the gap to 95-73 late in the third quarter.
The Timberwolves’ dominance extended beyond scoring, evidenced by their commanding 50-28 rebounding advantage. Anthony Edwards showcased his versatility, notching nine rebounds and five assists to accompany his stellar scoring performance.
With six players scoring in double digits, the Wolves displayed their depth and resilience, with Karl-Anthony Towns contributing 18 points and 13 rebounds, and Alexander-Walker chipping in 16 points.
Despite sporadic efforts to narrow the deficit, the Suns failed to mount a significant comeback in the final quarter, much to the disappointment of their home crowd, whose frustration was palpable by the end of the third quarter.
Tensions boiled over late in the game, with Josh Okogie’s ejection following a contentious foul on Gobert, adding to the Suns’ frustrations.
At halftime, the Timberwolves held a narrow 59-53 lead, with Edwards leading the charge with 16 points, countered by Durant’s 14 for the Suns. Eric Gordon provided an early spark for Phoenix with 10 first-quarter points, but it was short-lived.
The absence of Grayson Allen, sidelined with a sprained ankle aggravated in Game 2, dealt a blow to the Suns’ offensive firepower, further complicating their uphill battle against the relentless Timberwolves onslaught.
