The first-round playoff opponent for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA Playoffs has been determined.
Securing their playoff seed came down to the wire, with the Wolves maintaining their position as one of the top contenders in the Western Conference throughout much of the season.
As they entered Game 82, their potential seed ranged from first to third in the conference. However, hopes of clinching the top seed dwindled after a crucial loss to the Nuggets the previous week, leaving the Wolves needing a victory and some assistance to secure their desired position.
Unfortunately, their final regular-season game in Minneapolis against the Suns ended in disappointment, with the Wolves falling short with a final score of 106-125.
Consequently, with both Denver and Oklahoma City securing victories, the Timberwolves slipped back to the third seed, setting up a rematch against the Suns in the first round.
The Timberwolves (3) will face the Suns (6) in what promises to be a challenging matchup for Minnesota. Despite their regular-season dominance, the Wolves have yet to secure a victory against Phoenix, with all three losses being by double digits.
Their first encounter in Phoenix saw the Suns triumph 133-115, with both Kevin Durant and Devin Booker leading the charge with 31 points each. Karl-Anthony Towns provided a strong showing for Minnesota with 25 points.
In their subsequent matchup on April 5, also in Phoenix, defensive prowess prevailed as the Suns secured a 97-87 victory in a defensive battle, with both teams struggling from beyond the arc.
Notably, slow starts have plagued the Wolves in both April games, with the Suns taking commanding leads early on, making it difficult for Minnesota to recover.
Suns coach Frank Vogel’s defensive strategies have posed challenges for the Wolves, particularly Anthony Edwards, while Suns center Jusuf Nurkic’s imposing presence has made scoring in the paint a formidable task.
Despite these obstacles, Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert managed to find success in the paint during their most recent encounter, contributing 21 points on nine shots.
The NBA playoffs are scheduled to commence on April 20 and 21, marking the beginning of what promises to be an intense and competitive postseason journey for the Timberwolves.
