Anthony Edwards scored 36 points and Rudy Gobert added 19 points and 14 rebounds as the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Phoenix Suns 126-109 to take a 3-0 lead in the first-round series. The Wolves had a strong third quarter, hitting 7 of 11 3-pointers to take a 22-point lead into the fourth. Bradley Beal led the Suns with 28 points, followed by Kevin Durant with 25 and Devin Booker with 23. Minnesota dominated on the glass, finishing with a 50-28 rebounding advantage. Six Wolves players scored in double figures, with Karl-Anthony Towns contributing 18 points and 13 rebounds, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 16. The Suns, now facing elimination, could not cut the deficit to single digits in the fourth quarter.
Minnesota will go for the sweep in Game 4 on Sunday in Phoenix after using a hot-shooting third quarter to secure their lead in the series. The Wolves have used the third quarter to their advantage in all three games, turning tight matchups into comfortable victories. In this game, they stretched their halftime lead to 69-58 early in the third with back-to-back 3-pointers from Mike Conley and Karl-Anthony Towns. Alexander-Walker’s fourth 3-pointer of the quarter gave the Wolves a commanding 95-73 lead. Phoenix’s Josh Okogie was ejected late in the fourth after a hard foul on Gobert. The Suns played without Grayson Allen, who led the NBA in 3-point shooting percentage, due to a sprained ankle aggravated in Game 2.
The Wolves led 59-53 at halftime, with Edwards scoring 16 points for his team and Durant leading the Suns with 14 points. Eric Gordon provided a spark for Phoenix with 10 points in the first quarter, but it was not sustained throughout the game. The Suns struggled to cut into the Wolves’ lead in the second half, falling behind by double digits and never recovering. This loss puts them one game away from the end of their season, a disappointing outcome for a team that entered the year with high hopes of a championship. The Timberwolves’ strong performance on both ends of the court, particularly on the boards, has been a key factor in their success throughout the series. With contributions from multiple players and solid defensive efforts, they have put themselves in a commanding position heading into Game 4.
The Suns will need to regroup and make adjustments to try to avoid a series sweep on their home court. Despite strong performances from Beal, Durant, and Booker, they have struggled to contain the Timberwolves’ offense and rebounding ability. With their backs against the wall, Phoenix will need to come out with a sense of urgency and focus to extend the series. The Wolves, on the other hand, will look to close out the series with another strong showing in Game 4. Edwards and Gobert have been key contributors for Minnesota throughout the series, and they will look to continue their strong play to secure the series win. The stage is set for an intense matchup as the Wolves aim to advance to the next round of the playoffs with a sweep of the Suns.
In summary, the Minnesota Timberwolves’ victory over the Phoenix Suns in Game 3 of the first-round series was highlighted by strong performances from Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. The Wolves used a hot-shooting third quarter to build a commanding lead and secure their 3-0 advantage in the series. Phoenix, led by Bradley Beal, Kevin Durant, and Devin Booker, could not overcome Minnesota’s dominance on the glass and now faces elimination in Game 4. Minnesota will look to complete the sweep in Phoenix, while the Suns will need to make adjustments to extend the series. The Wolves’ balanced scoring, defensive effort, and rebounding superiority have been key factors in their success, setting the stage for an intriguing Game 4 as both teams battle for a spot in the next round of the playoffs.
